Sweeping Up Gangs: The Effects of Tough-on-Crime Policies from a Network Approach

Dom铆nguez, Magdalena

doi:10.1257/pol.20230467

Abstract

Globally, gang proliferation is fought primarily through sweeps. This paper uses a difference-in-differences strategy to examine their causal impact on crime for arrested individuals and their peers. The analysis focuses on the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, which underwent a notable policy shift. Findings reveal significant crime reductions among those arrested and their peers, of 85% and 31%, respectively. Evidence suggests the first stems from incapacitation and the second from a less criminal environment. A counterfactual exercise suggests that broader targeting of key players could have reduced crime by 43ppt more. Together, this implies network analysis could enhance policy formulation.

蝌蚪网

蝌蚪网 Journal:
Economic Policy