Seasonal agricultural activity and crime

Sudden shocks to labor demand have sometimes been shown increase local crime rates. We build on this literature by estimating the causal effect of labor-intensive seasonal agricultural activity crime. analyze a unique data set that describes criminal and fruit, vegetable, horticultural (FVH) employment month U.S. county from 1990 2016. find FVH share is associated with reduced property violent rates, possibly number crimes committed within years. Examining heterogeneities based ethnicity, decreases rate non-Hispanic arrests victimization, increases Hispanic victims (consistent rising populations). Taken together, results are broadly consistent idea harvest crops enhances market opportunities reduce incentives commit crimes. Results robust battery alternative specifications address inherent challenges measuring labor.