Under the Cover of Darkness: How Ambient Light Influences Criminal Activity
Year: 2015
Type: article
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.
DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_00547
Authors: Jennifer L. Doleac, Nicholas J. Sanders
Institutions: University of Virginia, Cornell University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W1848180648