New directions for anti-theft policy: Reductions in stolen goods buyers

This study explores the possibility of reducing theft in the United States through reductions in the number of persons who purchase stolen goods. Theft is conceptualized as a market-oriented offense that can be influenced by changes in consumers' willingness to make blackmarket purchases. Based upon several conservative assumptions about the number and the cost of thefts and the number of purchasers of stolen property in the United States, estimates of reductions in the former through reductions in the latter are calculated. Following these estimates, the issue of how best to accomplish a reduction in the number of persons buying stolen goods is addressed through analysis of data pertaining to individuals' decisions to buy stolen property. Key predictors of purchasing behavior are then reviewed for potential contributions to the inhibition of that behavior. In the final analysis, only one predictor, moral belief, appears to possess practical policy implications.