The Effect of Safe Ride Programs on Neighborhood Crime

Abstract

Many colleges/universities offer night-time shuttles for their students to promote safety. These services are primarily intended to reduce the likelihood that students will drive after drinking and/or fall victim to crime. To date little data exists validating whether or not shuttle services achieve their goal of keeping students safe. This paper demonstrates that shuttle services do in fact reduce student victimization in the areas they serve by reducing the overall crime rate in these same areas. The study has relevance for other campus’ currently sponsoring, or considering sponsoring, such services.