Measuring the fear of crime in Singapore : a contingent valuation approach

• Main Authors: Toh, Shang Wei, Wong, Gideon Xian Jun, Yip, Ralph Zhong Yan
• Other Authors: Chia Wai Mun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70401
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study attempts to estimate the intangible costs of fear of crime in Singapore, using the Contingent Valuation method. In a demographically representative sample of 660 Singapore residents, the public‟s willingness-to-pay for a 10% reduction in (1) Robbery, (2) Housebreaking, (3) Rape & Outrage of Modesty, (4) Serious Hurt and (5) Murder are estimated to be within S$55 to S$65. Collectively, the total social costs approximately amount to S$686 million per Robbery, S$653 million per Housebreaking, S$764 million per Rape & Outrage of Modesty, S$689 million per Serious Hurt and S$735 million per Murder. The total social benefits gained from preventing crimes in Singapore and the United States are S$3.53 billion (0.92%of GDP) and S$869 billion (3.98% of GDP) respectively, reflecting the diminishing marginal returns in the cost-effectiveness of Singapore's crime control programs.