Under the Cover of Darkness: How Ambient Light Influences Criminal Activity

A-Tier
Journal: Review of Economics and Statistics
Year: 2015
Volume: 97
Issue: 5
Pages: 1093-1103

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We exploit daylight saving time (DST) as an exogenous shock to daylight, using both the discontinuous nature of the policy and the 2007 extension of DST, to consider the impact of light on criminal activity. Regression discontinuity estimates show a 7% decrease in robberies following the shift to DST. As expected, effects are largest during the hours directly affected by the shift in daylight. We discuss our findings within the context of criminal decision making and labor supply, and estimate that the 2007 DST extension resulted in $59 million in annual social cost savings from avoided robberies.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:tpr:restat:v:97:y:2015:i:5:p:1093-1103
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25