Understanding Demand for Police Alternatives

Bocar A. Ba, Meghna Baskar, Tony Cheng and Rei Mariman

No 32418, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: In a series of experiments, we present evidence of bipartisan public demand for police alternatives, contrasted with persistent policy resistance from key stakeholders. First, our survey experiment demonstrates that introducing U.S. respondents to dontcallthepolice.com (DCTP), a database of non-governmental emergency response options, significantly reduces reliance on police for nonviolent situations. However, this effect does not extend to violent scenarios where no police substitutes exist. Second, our follow-up survey reveals enduring impacts, including heightened recall of the 988 hotline as an alternative during suicidal crises. Third, our field experiment and qualitative interviews find police resistance to embracing DCTP, despite widespread public support for nonviolent police substitutes.

JEL-codes: H10 K0 P0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
Note: LE PE POL
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