A Times examination of the slowdown pointed to reductions in traffic tickets, summonses for open-container violations, and patrols in housing projects.
The battle may be more intense than usual this year, with high gas prices and a general economic slowdown pointing to a deceleration from the rate of spending growth in 2005.
"We do not believe there is a return to a recession," Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentoldECD), told reporters when asked if recent signs of a slowdown pointed to a major weakening in the global economy.
While the U.K. economy remains remarkably strong and home-price falls are currently modest, signs are emerging of significant slowdown and pointing to a prolonged period of falling home prices.
In the right-hand chart, we have calcaulted the effect of reduction in Chinese capital formation in the event of a soft landing; which we define as a two-percentage-point slowdown in China's investment growth, and a harder landing; which we define as a 3.9-point slowdown the same as it endured in 2008.
That slowdown, he suggests, points to a need for reorganization to adjust supply to demand.
The chart shows the effect on growth of a soft landing, which we define as a two-percentage-point slowdown in China's investment growth.
Ashvin Ahuja and Malhar Nabar of the fund have calculated the impact on China's trading partners of a one-percentage-point slowdown in Chinese capital formation.
It also depicts a harder landing, which we define as a 3.9-point slowdown, the same as it endured in 2008.A hard landing would hobble South Korea and bring Taiwan's growth to a shuddering halt.
"The recent slowdown does reinforce a point, and that is that any additional fiscal restraint in the near term would be in error," Mr. Zandi said.
