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An evaluation of the Federal Legal Services Program: Evidence from crime rates and property values

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  • Cunningham, Jamein P.

Abstract

This paper uses the city-level roll-out of legal service grants to evaluate their effects on crime. Using Uniform Crime Reports from 1960 to 1985, the results show that there is a short-run increase of 7% in crimes reported and a 16% increase in crimes cleared by arrest. Results show an increase in the staffing of police officers in cities that received legal services. These cities are also associated with having higher median property values 10 years later. This supports the narrative that legal services changed police behavior through litigation or threats of litigation.

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  • Cunningham, Jamein P., 2016. "An evaluation of the Federal Legal Services Program: Evidence from crime rates and property values," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 76-90.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:92:y:2016:i:c:p:76-90
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2015.11.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Goodman-Bacon & Jamein P. Cunningham, 2019. "Changes in Family Structure and Welfare Participation Since the 1960s: The Role of Legal Services," NBER Working Papers 26238, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Robynn Cox & Jamein P. Cunningham, 2021. "Financing The War On Drugs: The Impact Of Law Enforcement Grants On Racial Disparities In Drug Arrests," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(1), pages 191-224, January.
    3. Shawn Kantor & Carl T. Kitchens & Steven Pawlowski, 2021. "Civil Asset Forfeiture, Crime, And Police Incentives: Evidence From The Comprehensive Crime Control Act Of 1984," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(1), pages 217-242, January.

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