Predictive Policing in Seattle: The Effects on Location and Type of Crime

Existing literature generally acknowledges that crime is not random and dispersed across different areas, but instead crimes cluster at specific locations. While there are extensive studies covering the effect predictive policing has on crime rates, there are only a handful of researchers studying the effects on location and type of crime. Using a quasi-experimental research design for identification, estimation, and inference of treatment effects at a designated cutoff, this project examines Seattle Police Department’s implementation of predictive policing technology and its effects on precincts and types of crime throughout the city. The research suggests that the North, Southwest, and West precincts saw decreases in the number of reported crime incidences while serious crimes such as burglary and homicide saw overall reductions. The results of this project provide support for the city-level deployment of predictive policing programs specifically targeting high priority locations and types of crimes