The optimal amount of crime control occurs when:
A)the total benefit of reduced crime is greater than the total cost of reduced crime.
B)the marginal benefit of reduced crime equals the marginal cost of reduced crime.
C)the total benefit of reduced crime equals the total cost of reduced crime.
D)the incidence of crime is zero.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The optimal amount of crime control occurs when the marginal benefit of reduced crime equals the marginal cost of reduced crime. This is because reducing crime has a cost (e.g. cost of law enforcement, incarceration, etc.), and reducing crime also has a benefit (e.g. less harm to victims, increased safety, etc.). At the point where the marginal cost of reducing crime equals the marginal benefit of reducing crime, an optimal level of crime control is achieved. Choosing option A or C would either result in having more costs than benefits, or having more benefits than costs - both of which are not optimal. Option D is not possible as completely eliminating crime is not a realistic goal.

The Optimal Amount of Crime Control Occurs When