Deterrence, Firearm Arrests, and Subsequent Shootings: A Micro-Level Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Brian R Wyant, Ralph B Taylor, Jerry H Ratcliffe, Jennifer Wood

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Do police firearm arrests reduce later shootings in nearby locations and in the days immediately following the arrest? This question is examined at a more detailed level than in previous work in order to better describe the spatio-temporal dynamics linking these two event types. All firearm arrests (n = 5,687) and shootings (n = 5,870) in Philadelphia from 2004 to 2007 were analyzed using a modified close-pair method. Following a firearm arrest shootings declined significantly, 28-47% up to a couple of blocks away. These significant declines, however, lasted for just a few days. Overall, results suggest police firearm suppression effects occur, may extend up to two blocks away from a firearm arrest, but also are short-lived. Potential implications for deterrence are discussed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)524-545
    JournalJustice Quarterly
    Volume29
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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