Economists say juvenile assault and drug-related arrests on Oahu declined during the 2009-2010 school year when Hawaii furloughed teachers and cancelled classes for 17 Fridays to save money during the recession. 

University of Hawaii economist Timothy Halliday said today that research conducted with two fellow economists shows Honolulu police made 1.2 fewer juvenile arrests for assault per day and about one fewer juvenile arrest for drug-related crimes per day on “Furlough Fridays.”

The results confirm research by other scholars showing assaults by juveniles tend to drop when students aren’t in school. But Halliday isn’t aware of other studies showing drug-related crimes also decline.

The results appear in a working paper the economists aim to publish. 

Halliday says the study may help administrators, teachers and lawmakers discuss how to prevent school crime.