IS PROPERTY CRIME CAUSED BY DRUG-USE OR BY DRUG ENFORCEMENT POLICY

The relationships among drug offenses, property crime, and the allocation of police resources are investigated in a structural model using data from Florida counties. Law enforcement resources are scarce, and as efforts to combat drug crime increase the amount of these resources allocated to property crime is reduced. This reallocation of police resources results in reduced deterrence for property crime and, as a result, an increase in these crimes. The evidence presented suggests that rising property crimes in Florida are at least partially the result of drug enforcement policy.