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Public SafetyTargetingPositive

Philadelphia Foot Patrol Experiment

Temple University / Philadelphia Police Department · Philadelphia, USA · 2009

Summary

While car patrol studies (including Kansas City) showed limited crime effects, this experiment tested a different form: officers on foot in violent micro-locations. The results were strong: violent crime fell 23% in treated beats during the 12-week intervention period. Officers on foot develop local knowledge, make more pedestrian stops, and create visible presence that car patrols cannot replicate. The study helped distinguish which patrol strategies work in which contexts—an important nuance lost in the earlier Kansas City null result.

Research question

"Does foot patrol in high-violence areas reduce violent crime more than standard patrol?"

Methodology

Intervention

60 foot patrol officers assigned to randomly selected violent crime hot spots

Assignment

Randomized controlled trial (location)

Sample size

60 foot patrol beats (randomized)

Primary outcome

Violent crime incidents

Effect estimate

−23% violent crime in foot patrol beats vs. control beats

Decision

Philadelphia expanded foot patrol; findings cited in numerous police department strategic plans

Result

Positive

−23% violent crime in foot patrol beats vs. control beats

Evidence strength

Strong

Randomized controlled trial with large sample.

Replication status

Partially replicated

Institution

Temple University / Philadelphia Police Department

Location

Philadelphia, USA

Year

2009

Policy area

Public Safety

Mechanism

Targeting

Other trials of this mechanism

Cite this entry

Temple University / Philadelphia Police Department. (2009). Philadelphia Foot Patrol Experiment. The Experiment Society Registry. Retrieved from https://www.experimentsociety.org/registry/philadelphia-foot-patrol-rct (primary report: https://doi.org/10.1080/07418820903143638)

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Seattle, Washington, USA · 2011

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Mentioned in the Dispatch

Issue 03 · April 13, 2026

What hot spots policing actually showed.

The most replicated finding in criminology is also the most misapplied.

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