Ferguson effect

proper noun

The idea that increased scrutiny of police following the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, has led to an increased crime rate (or sometimes murder rate) in major US cities.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Ferguson effect
  1. USThe idea that increased scrutiny of police following the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, has led to an increased crime rate (or sometimes murder rate) in major US cities.

Origin

From the name of the city of Ferguson, Missouri. The term was coined by police chief Doyle Sam Dotson III and popularized by a Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Heather Mac Donald.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Ferguson effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ferguson%20effect

MLA

“Ferguson effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ferguson%20effect. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Ferguson effect,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Ferguson%20effect.

Source: Ferguson effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.