CRJ 305 Week 3 Discussion 2

Identify a crime or criminal issue that you believe has a law enforcement solution. Considering the Problem Analysis Chart (Step 8) in Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps (assigned reading for Week Two) and the Twenty Five Techniques of Situational Prevention chart, propose a potential solution to the crime or criminal issue you identified. Explain how the technique will effectively reduce the possibility of the crime occurring. If the technique is effective, what is the expected result on social and criminal justice? You may use this research in your Final Project.

The topic I chose to do this discussion on is technique 25 if situational prevention. On the chart under the remove the excuses category step 25 is about the control of drugs and alcohol. The subheadings say there should be “breathalyzers in pubs, server intervention and alcohol free events”. Many people drive under the influence all the time and not only is it dangerous, it is illegal. I believe that many times when people drive after they have been drinking, they are more than likely over the legal drinking limit but they do not think they are. The solution I think would solve people from getting DUIs as well as causing alcohol or drug induced wrecks would be to install breathalyzers in all cars. This is currently being used for those who have already had DUIs and lost their license for a period of time. The machine makes you blow into the breathalyzer once you get in as well as blowing again in 10 minutes. If you do not blow into the device within 2 minutes of it beeping then the car will automatically shut off as well as if you blow and you are over the legal limit the car will not operate. “Crime is facilitated by alcohol and drugs, which undermine inhibitions or impair perception and cognition so that offenders are less aware they are breaking the law” .

This has proven to be an effective solution for those already charged with DUIs so I believe that if places such as bars were to incorporate breathalyzers before leaving and getting into a car to drive the arrest/ charge rate will decrease significantly. Also, for restaurants and bar that serve alcohol the servers and bartenders should be held accountable for cutting a person off once they are starting to slur their words or are not able to stand up correctly without looking as if they are going to fall over. “The value of situational controls on drinking has often been demonstrated”. There are certain places like in casinos where drinking alcohol on the casino floor is not permitted because people tend to get angry when they are losing money and lose their temper on others who are winning. Mixing drugs and alcohol with temper and most of the time it leads to a very bad situation.

Although many people would not like having to blow into a breathalyzer just to drive their car, I do believe they would weigh the risks of losing their licenses, someone else’s life as well as their own. Blowing into a breathalyzer is not that big of addition to anyone’s car and it will and can save the lives of many.