Michael Makowsky

Clemson University Website

Michael Makowsky is Associate Professor of Economics at Clemson University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University.

Voting History

Reducing gun violence

Taking into account both potential implementation challenges and expected efficacy, investing in police-led targeted enforcement directed at places and persons at high risk for gun crime (e.g.,\"hot spot\" policing; gang enforcement) would reduce gun violence.

Vote Confidence
Disagree 4
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree 7
Comments

While I remain persuaded that US cities are largely under-policed, and I have no trouble imagining specific "hot spots" where targeted enforcement may lead to beneficial reductions in violence, I am skeptical of narrowly-targeted policing as an effective policy. Absent concomitant increases in policing coordinated with community involvement, my expectation would be significant displacement of violence to neighboring areas, following idiosyncratic patterns where new sets of unexpected interaction

Taking into account both potential implementation challenges and expected efficacy, investing in police-led focused deterrence programs (clearly communicating “carrots and sticks” to local residents identified as high risk, followed by targeted surveillance and enforcement with some community-based support for those who desist from crime) would reduce gun violence.

Vote Confidence
Disagree 4
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree 6
Comments

I am skeptical of the capacity, at this stage, to produce targeted deterrence and surveillance programs that communities would trust not to be riddled with bias and abuse. I would be far more sanguine of such programs implemented by organizations parallel to, but not inclusive of, the police.

Taking into account both potential implementation challenges and expected efficacy, investing in purely community-led violence-interruption programs (community-based outreach workers try to mediate and prevent conflict, without police involvement) would reduce gun violence.

Vote Confidence
Agree 6
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Neutral/No Opinion 5
Comments

I think such programs could be highly effective and would likely be complementary to "on-foot" increases in police presence. Trust in community policing would likely benefit from additional channels to mitigate violence without direct police involvement, reducing the number of interactions where police are forced to act outside of their expertise, potentially exacerbating problems and eroding trust. Such community programs would likely be complementary with "procedural justice" programs, helping