Crime-Reduction Strategies

Assignment 1: Crime-Reduction Strategies

CRJ 400 – Crime Prevention Strategies

Strayer University

Crime-Reduction Strategies

Abstract

There are many different methods that are being used to reduce crime; at the very same time, crime rates continue to rise within the city. Programs and strategies are being implemented to target the infrastructure in the City of Laurel that consists of retail stores, pay-to-park, office buildings, and medical facilities; due to an increased volume of theft from vehicles. In this paper, we will discuss how to reduce theft, analyze the main reason as to why vehicle theft has increased in the City of Laurel. The paper will suggest at least one (1) alternative intervention tactic in order to form at least three (3) target selection, such as geographic targeting, aggressive patrol, and offender targeting. Additionally, the paper will determine the number of personnel/staffs will be needed to intervene, what their roles, responsibilities are. And finally, compare and contrast the intervention tactics and which one (1) was the most efficient.

Analyze the main reasons why vehicle theft crime rate is high in the commercial development district in your city or town. Provide a rationale for your response:

Vehicle theft crime occurs due to various reasons, especially around the commercial development district in the City of Laurel because people leave valuables out open in the vehicle that can be visible. Thieves are opportunists looking for electronics, purses, wallet, left a crack in the window, or even just the car itself with certain makes, and or models. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports in (2017) that over 700,000 cars were reported stolen or theft took place in the United States. Those of which is a huge amount of numbers and amongst which is the City of Laurel. Giving the perpetrator all the reasons to break into a car is like inviting them to do so.

Suggest at least one (1) alternative intervention tactic for each of the three (3) forms of target selection (i.e., geographic targeting, offense targeting, and offender targeting) as they relate to reducing thefts from vehicles in the commercial development center in the town or city that you live in. Provide a rationale for your response. Note: Refer to Chapter 5 of your text for more information on the three (3) forms of target selection.

According to Hoover (2014), the three (3) forms of target selections, such as geographic targeting, offender targeting, and aggressive patrolling as they relate to reducing thefts and how an alternative intervention tactic would work as seen below:

Determine the rough number (e.g., 10-20, 20-30, etc.) of personnel that is needed to implement the suggested intervention from Question 2. Specify the main roles and responsibilities of the personnel and justify your response by using local demographic information.

• Geographic Targeting – as it is one of the most and first common focus point at a particular city. This is place more around the residential areas but now seen in commercial areas as well, for example in the City of Greenbelt. An alternative intervention tactic in this targeted selection would be making a hot spot location, where law enforcement officers know that this location has a high rate of theft crimes and should have 24-hour surveillance.
• Offender Targeting – those offenders who are already under outstanding warrants, gang-related, or even groups of suspects who fall under these categories are the common perpetrators. An alternative intervention tactic, in this case, would be quite simple, law enforcement officers in the City of Greenbelt can target those who are repeat offenders. For example, questioning the suspects that are already in custody for more criminals in that area, look up previous offenders that way you can find them and see what they may be up to, and finally, search for any outstanding warrants in that area.
• Aggressive Patrol – in this form of tactic selection, an alternative tactic would be where officers can use the time to make frequent drive-by on the places in addition to uniformed officers to come in unmarked police vehicles, use real-time surveillance, and having the community engage in these circumstances.

The rough number of personnel that would require to implement the suggested intervention – such as for hot spot, random patrolling, officers in uniform driving in unmarked cars, having 24-hour surveillance, checking up on previous offenders, and including the community would be about 12 staff. The main roles and responsibilities each personnel would have organized into groups. Two (2) personnel to be on computers and reports to check for pervious offenders and where they are located or posted. The next four (4) officers are to be under random patrolling with unmarked vehicles. Four (4) other officers to rotate in shift works for 24-hour surveillance in addition to hot spot responding. And finally, the last two (2) officers can go into the community and round up those who are will to help by having programs and preventive measures on a weekly basis and check-ins.

Compare and contrast the intervention tactics that you suggested for each of the three (3) forms of target selection; determine which one is the most efficient. Justify your response.

Based on all three (3) of the forms of target selection, geographical targeting, offender targeting, and aggressive patrol, all are all effective method, and each one would be needed in order to meet the necessary goals. One (1) that would have to be chosen as most efficient aggressive patrolling because all eyes, ears, and hands-on-deck on a constant brim. According to the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (2018), hot spot patrolling is one of the most efficient method used because it would cover a wide range in the City of Greenbelt. Their common focus would on the location of where the highest vehicle theft is taking place currently. Patrolling those areas by 24-hour based surveillance in a rotational change of shift will allow staff to get the necessary rest period and constant intervention.

According to Chen & Chong (2014) reports that in order to prevent you must have proper devices in a parking lot structure like gates, video surveillance, security officers, have drivers pay for parking, and many other ways. However, these measurements are not as effective as what they have adopted a “radio frequency identification.” (RFID). This is a type of management that allows electromagnetic energy to detect automatically by identifying the scanned tags and tracking them down. This is used in a parking lot structure where whoever goes in or out can be scanned in and out, and if the car is stolen, it can be located easily.

Conclusion

Using an effective strategy by increasing police officers and time spent around the areas that have the highest crime rate by utilizing all three methods in the process. Geographically, offender targeting and aggressive patrolling are all good measurements and tactical if used accordingly. Various methods are being invented to prevent such crimes, but each and everyone should also use their own methods, for example, lock your cars, check for any open windows, do not leave any valuable or personal things in open or in the car, and always make sure you park in a well-lit area.

References

Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (2018). Hot Spots Policing. In the Department ofCriminology, Law, and Society. Retrieved from

https://cebcp.org/evidence-based-policing/what-works-in-policing/research-evidencereview/hot-spots-policing/

Chen, C., & Chong, M. (2014). A radio frequency identification application for car theftprevention in parking lot management systems. International Journal of CommunicationSystems, 27(11), 2481–2496. https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.2482

Hoover, L. T. (2014). Police Crime Control Strategies. Delmar Cengage Learning.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). (2017). Crime in the United States. FBI: UCR.Retrieved from https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.2017/tables/table-19