What is the Best Response? Examining the Impact of Police and Their Alternatives

Bocar A. Ba, Patton Chen, Tony Cheng, Martha C. Eies and Justin Holz

No 34344, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Cities across America are adopting civilian crisis response programs as alternatives to traditional policing, yet causal evidence on their impact and cost-effectiveness is scarce. This paper evaluates Durham, North Carolina’s HEART program, which diverts nonviolent 911 calls from police. Using a difference-in-differences design, we find that HEART reduces crime reports, arrests, and response times—primarily through civilian phone and in-person responses, rather than police-civilian co-responses. The program increases future 911 calls, which suggests it fosters public trust. Based on an original contingent valuation survey and applying the marginal value of public funds framework, we conclude that HEART is a fiscally self-sustainable intervention.

JEL-codes: H10 H4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-law and nep-ure
Note: EH LE PE POL
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