On Saturday, August 2, 2014 3:03:07 PM UTC-4, Stephen Sprunk wrote:   
      
   > Cops walking/driving a beat increases the _perception_ that criminals will   
   be caught, changing the subconscious risk/reward analysis. Just as important,   
   though, are the detectives who investigate crimes and _actually_ catch the   
   offenders.    
      
   Cops are only one part of the issue.     
      
   Another part is public policy.  NYC has an aggressive stop 'n frisk policy,   
   Phila refuses to go that route.   I submit that stop 'n frisk in NYC acts as a   
   deterrent.   
      
   Another part is courts and prisons.  NYC courts used to be very liberal, but   
   then they changed and got stuff.  They built many more prisons to house   
   offenders; even on barges floating in the river.  One definitely reason there   
   is less crime is because    
   the criminals are locked up.  In contrast, Phila had a terrible problem with   
   many of those arrested needing to post zero bail and then not showing up for   
   trial.   
      
   NYC's healthy economy probably reduces crime, but a low crime rate contributes   
   to a healthy economy.  In safe cities, people are willing to go out at night,   
   open up and run businesses.  In Phila, lots of businesses, large and small,   
   have fled to the    
   suburbs or exurbs to escape the city.  It's a viscious downward cycle.  In the   
   1960s-1970s, people were escaping from NYC, but now it's an "in" place.   
      
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