Differential Police Control at Drug Dealing Places

Abstract

This paper draws on a randomized field trial in Oakland, California, to explore the different types of tactics the police use to control drug problems in different types of drug markets. We use a cluster analytic technique to create a typology of drug-dealing places. We identify six primary clusters. The clusters are studied to explore variations in policing tactics used to control drug problems at these places. We conclude that the police appear to informally categorize drug-dealing places and to use these cursory site assessments to tailor their drug control tactics.