We explore the relation between immigration, crime, and local government spending on security in Italian municipalities. We find that immigration increases the share of public resources devoted to police protection, particularly when migrants are culturally distant from the native population. We uncover a misalignment between perception and reality, as immigration is associated to fear of future crimes rather than the actual probability of being victim of a crime. We also demonstrate that immigration from culturally distant societies corresponds to a deterioration in civic cooperation and interpersonal trust, which can affect perceptions of safety and the demand for police services.

Bove, V., Elia, L., Ferraresi, M. (2023). Immigration, Fear of Crime, and Public Spending on Security. THE JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION, 39(1 (March 2023)), 235-280 [10.1093/jleo/ewab021].

Immigration, Fear of Crime, and Public Spending on Security

Elia, L;
2023

Abstract

We explore the relation between immigration, crime, and local government spending on security in Italian municipalities. We find that immigration increases the share of public resources devoted to police protection, particularly when migrants are culturally distant from the native population. We uncover a misalignment between perception and reality, as immigration is associated to fear of future crimes rather than the actual probability of being victim of a crime. We also demonstrate that immigration from culturally distant societies corresponds to a deterioration in civic cooperation and interpersonal trust, which can affect perceptions of safety and the demand for police services.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
immigration, crime, civic capital, spending on security
English
9-nov-2021
2023
39
1 (March 2023)
235
280
reserved
Bove, V., Elia, L., Ferraresi, M. (2023). Immigration, Fear of Crime, and Public Spending on Security. THE JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION, 39(1 (March 2023)), 235-280 [10.1093/jleo/ewab021].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/458530
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