New study on link between trees and lower crime rates
Previous studies have shown that trees are associated with lower crime rates and a new study in Baltimore affirms this finding, showing the link goes beyond a correlation between the two factors. In other words, it’s not just a matter of wealthier neighborhoods having lower crime rates. The study controlled for socioeconomic factors and found a 10% increase in trees “roughly equaled” a 12% decrease in crime rates.
More and more evidence points to the significant return on investment from trees – citing cooling effects, air quality benefits and lower crime rates.
(via Kaid Benfield’s Blog – Natural Resources Defense Council)
