Kansas City Preventative Patrol Experiment

The Kansas City Preventative Patrol Experiment started in October 1972 and lasted for an entire year. This study was administered by the Kansas Police Department of Kansas, City, Missouri but the police foundation evaluated each day of the study. There were 15 beats (foot patrol) where police patrols varied. This is where officers entered these areas only to answer calls for service from residents which were labeled “reactive beats.” There were five “proactive beats” where the patrol units were more visible which was increased by three times its usual level, the administration assigned additional patrol cars adjacent to the area of the reactive beats. There were also five “control beats” which the patrol officer maintained one marked patrol

car per shift but the other officers were on foot during a routine patrol. The main area that they concentrated on which was the beats where the routine patrol was eliminated.

The details of the Kansas Experiment found that even though there were proactive beats, reactive beats, and controlled beats. There were no significant differences in the three conditions in regards to crimes, officer’s response to calls for service, residence fear of crime, police service, arrest, traffic accidents, domestic violence or the residence approval of the police. The owners of businesses attitude toward crime and police services were not affected. Although there were three conditions, the citizens did not even recognize the extra patrol vehicles in the proactive phase.

The overall analysis of the controversial Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment was that the experiment was not a total failure but not a success either. The study showed that with the right leadership, urban police could test new approaches to patrol. The Kansas City Police Department conducted this experiment using their patrol resources and did not jeopardize the safety of the police department’s personnel. Throughout the year there was a waste of resources not only police officers but the police foundation. The resources that were devoted to patrolling throughout the year could have been put to better use in other areas that would have been more effective in controlling crime.