The Effects of Street Cleaning on Serious Crime and Gun Violence in Philadelphia, 2023-2024: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To determine if street cleaning interventions reduce gun violence and street crime. <b>Methods.</b> We conducted a stratified randomized controlled trial of 300 high gun violence street segments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, assigned to either a street cleaning intervention or a no-intervention control. The intervention provided biweekly or monthly trash removal, weeding, and sidewalk sweeping. Some segments received enhanced services, including free trash and recycling bins. <b>Results.</b> The biweekly and monthly intervention significantly reduced visible litter, by 16% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -24%, -8%; <i>P</i> < .01) and 17% (95% CI = -28%, -5%; <i>P</i> < .05), respectively. The biweekly and monthly intervention yielded a statistically insignificant reduction in gun violence of 27% (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.42, 1.28) and 4% (IRR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.44, 2.06). Street crime outcomes were similarly insignificant. <b>Conclusions.</b> Basic environmental cleanups reduce visible litter but do not significantly reduce gun violence or street crime. More comprehensive place-based prevention strategies are likely needed. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Scalable, nonpolicing public health approaches to reduce violence and serious crime should consider interventions that target broader environmental factors beyond basic street cleaning until further study demonstrates otherwise. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2026;116(8):1171-1179. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308429).