Local Determinants of Crime: Do Military Bases Matter?
31 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2010
Date Written: October 1, 2010
Abstract
Using a unique panel dataset, we estimate the impact of the military base realignments and closures (BRACs) in Germany on the intensity of criminal activity surrounding the base. We use a fixed-effect model to account for time-invariant unobservables in our panel of 298 military bases for the period 2003-2007. We also take advantage of geographic information system software to mitigate estimation issues arising from the spatial nature of the dataset. Estimation results are presented for total crime and four other subcategories: breaking and entering, automobile-related crime, violent crime, and drug-related crime. The estimates indicate that there is no effect of BRACs on criminal activity surrounding the base. We also confirm existing findings in the literature on the determinants of crime.
Keywords: Armed forces; BRAC; deviant behavior; geographic information system
JEL Classification: H56, K42, R19
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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