Reference: Buerger, M. E. (1994). The crime prevention handbook: Securing high crime locations. Washington, DC: Crime Control Institute.

For more on RECAP, see
Sherman, L., Buerger M., & Gartin, P. (1989). Repeat call address policing:  The Minneapolis RECAP Experiment.  Washington, DC:  Crime Control Institute.

Strategy: Problem-oriented policing

Matrix Dimensions:
X-axis: Micro Places
Y-axis: Focused
Z-axis: Highly Proactive

Results: Nonsignificant
No difference in calls for service in commercial treatment vs. control addresses, small decline in residential calls in treatment area

Methodological Rigor: Highly rigorous- randomized experiment

Abstract (from NCJRS): A study reexamines statistical findings of the 1987 Minneapolis Repeat Call Address Policing (RECAP) Experiment, a field study of the strategy of problem-oriented policing. Initiated in 1986, RECAP assigned a team of 4 patrol officers and a sergeant to formulate and carry out strategies to address the underlying problems that produced repeat calls for service at 250 addresses in the city. The analysis corrects the main flaws of the original randomization address fragmentation and the presence of duplicate call lines. T-test procedures comparing re-ranked pairs of addresses (N=236) in reconstructed databases confirm the original finding of no statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups. Further analysis finds no differences in sub-groups by type of address, and none by type of crime. Statistically significant reductions were found for residential addresses with low levels of treatment (N=77); diminished statistical power restrains generalization. Qualitative sections examine RECAP treatment in relation to officers' problem identification methods, resistance within the department, relationships to external agencies and within the police department, and problem-solving technologies. The metaphoric language that shapes expectations of experiments is reviewed, and the appropriateness of theoretical links is explored.