LOS ANGELES, April 5, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study by the RAND Corporation provides persuasive evidence that reducing police personnel will invite major financial and social harm to the citizens of Los Angeles.
"This study confirms that public safety is an investment that pays huge dividends, both financially and socially," said Los Angeles Police Protective League President Paul M. Weber. "We know that an effective police presence reduces crime. That has now been quantified to show that the expansion of the Los Angeles Police Department has actually generated about $475 million in crime reduction benefits. This is vital information for city leaders to consider as they work through the current city budget crisis, and should guide them as they try to avoid both economic and social damage in any budget cuts."
Hidden in Plain Sight: What Cost-of-Crime Research Can Tell Us about Investing in Police collected extensive and existing high-quality research to conclude that investment in police can generate substantial social returns. The study by RAND Associate Economist Paul Heaton applied cost-benefit analyses to two real-world cases: A proposal to increase the police force in Los Angeles, and a proposal to decrease it in Toledo, Ohio. In both cases, analysis showed the benefits of having additional officers and preventing crime outweigh the personnel costs.
Weber said the report serves as an effective indicator of the dangers of reducing police personnel in the city.
"There has already been a marked reduction in police coverage in our city due to restrictions on police overtime and the fact that officers are increasingly forced to perform administrative duties due to vacant civilian positions," said Weber. "This situation needs to be rectified in the near term and certainly no additional cuts to the LAPD budget can be absorbed without great peril to the safety and security of the city's four million residents."
RAND's press release referenced the acknowledged crime costs directly borne by victims, insurers and government. However, the release went on to note that it is important to consider the costs borne by society in general. In addition, the study urged policymakers to consider both the tangible costs, such as a victim's medical bills or lost productivity, as well as the intangible costs, such as a reduced quality of life in a crime-ridden neighborhood.
Applying existing methodologies for estimating the costs of crime to recent crime data suggests that the costs of crime to society are large. The study estimated that in 2006, serious crime cost the residents of Los Angeles $6.35 billion.
"RAND and Dr. Heaton are to be commended for their excellent research and analysis," Weber said. "The report is especially timely because it shows the importance of putting public safety first when setting budget priorities and making personnel decisions at a pivotal time in our city's history."
Weber said he had discussed the RAND study with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who supports the findings and the LAPPL's conclusions.
Chief Beck said in a statement, "The RAND report provides an outstanding summary of leading academic research on the cost of crime and the effectiveness of police in preventing crime. It is an excellent tool for the LAPD and city officials to use in making tough decisions on investments in public safety."
About the LAPPL
Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com.