Synthesis Essay: The Kansas City Preventative Patrol

497 Words1 Page

The Kansas City Preventative Patrol Experiment was started in 1972 and ended in 1973 with the aid of the Police Foundation. The method of the experiment placed preventative patrol units in 15 areas with increased units on patrol and eliminated five patrol areas where officers only answered calls and did not patrol. The effects of the preventative patrol was measured by victimization surveys, departmental reported crime, and rates of reporting crime. The experiment found that routine patrol in marked cars did not hinder crimes from being committed. Instead of testing what preventative practices were effective, the study was designed to determine whether patrol units could be assigned to high crime areas without compromising service in other areas. The study concluded that citizens in the target areas did not notice the changes in the patrol activities. The level of patrol showed no effect on thefts, larcenies, or robberies. Increased patrol did not affect crime rates in the experimental areas. No change was reported by citizens with the satisfaction of the police or the fear of crime.
If the results were accurate with the experiment, the impact of more officers would not make much more of a difference in that …show more content…

The research showed no effect on certain crimes or the rates of crime. The experiment did not change the citizen’s view of police and the fear of crime did not change either. The research was not effective in increasing visibility in the areas where officers were increased. With community support and increased enthusiasm of patrol officers in the target areas, the reduction of crime could decrease and be impacted through community policing. The added officers in those areas could make the difference in the work load when responding to crimes or in intense situations where more officers are needed on site without taking officers out of other

More about Synthesis Essay: The Kansas City Preventative Patrol

Open Document