Triangulation of Proof and the Confusing Case of CCTV Effectiveness

• In Event: Crime and Place: Intervention and Evaluation Research

Abstract

Massive investment in CCTV systems in the US continues to this day, despite a paucity of evidence (at least from the United States) that CCTV is associated with significant crime reductions. Most CCTV evaluations have been conducted in the UK and they have varied in methodology, outcome measures and independent variables. Many previous studies have been methodologically weak, lacking control areas, controls for seasonal variation, or have lacked any measure of potential displacement (or diffusion). Being unable to instigate an experimental study, we employ four different quantitative methods in order to establish what Zimring called a triangulation of proof regarding the question of whether cameras reduce crime. This presentation summarizes the various findings and discusses the difficulties of establishing through quasi-experimental conditions the simple answer politicians often seek.

Authors

• Jerry Ratcliffe, Temple University

• Elizabeth Groff, Temple University