POLICE EVALUATION RESEARCH: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND COST‐BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF A HELICOPTER PATROL IN A HIGH CRIME AREA¹

Abstract

The significance of a helicopter patrol procedure directed toward prevention of home burglaries was evaluated from experimental and cost-benefit perspectives. The helicopter patrolled one city zone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two 12-day periods. Each 12-day period was separated by a baseline period in which only normal patrol-car levels were maintained. Significantly reduced burglary levels during the intervention periods, compared to baseline periods, documented the experimental significance of the helicopter procedure. The cash costs of implementing the patrol procedure were compared to two estimates of the resulting cash benefits. This latter cost-benefit analysis was supplemented by a discussion of the intangible costs and benefits of the helicopter procedure. Taken together, these analyses documented that the marginal costs of the helicopter intervention were exceeded by all estimates of benefits.

Understanding and Controlling Crime

“…It is unfortunate that the series of experiments by Schnelle and his colleagues (Schnelle et al, 1975(Schnelle et al, , 1977(Schnelle et al, , 1978(Schnelle et al, , 1979 all involved essentially within-subjects/ base-line designs rather than control groups. It is unfortunate that the series of experiments by Schnelle and his colleagues (Schnelle et al, 1975(Schnelle et al, , 1977(Schnelle et al, , 1978(Schnelle et al, , 1979 all involved essentially within-subjects/ base-line designs rather than control groups.…”

Applied Behavior Analysis: Understanding and Changing Behavior in the Community—A Representative Review

“…The results showed reductions in crime during the night but not during daylight patrols although the authors noted that projected costs would be prohibitive if full scale implementation was achieved. A follow-up study found that helicopter patrols reduced burglaries compared to periods when helicopter patrols were not in effect (Schnelle et al, 1978) with benefit=cost ratios favoring helicopter patrols. A subsequent study showed decreases in residential burglaries in high-density areas but not low-density areas when police patrols were in effect.…”

Program Evaluation Research: An Experimental Cost‐effectiveness Analysis of an Armed Robbery Intervention Program

“…Schnelle et al (1978) reported data showing the cost efficiency of helicopter patrol in reducing home burglaries within some specific areas of Nashville.…”

“…a technique called field interrogation, there were some mild reductions in malicious mischief and burglary incidents. Schnelle et al (1978) reported data showing the cost efficiency of helicopter patrol in reducing home burglaries within some specific areas of Nashville.…”