Advancing Problem-Oriented Policing: Lessons From Dealing with Drug Markets (From Problem-Oriented Policing: From Innovation to Mainstream, P 239-256, 2003, Johannes Knutsson, ed. -- See NCJ-199807)

• NCJ Number: 199815
• Author(s): Rana Sampson
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper attempts to develop a set of lessons from police and community efforts at tackling drug markets as a means for further advancing the application of effective problem-solving to other crime and safety problems.

Abstract

In the early 1990's, American policing, applying a problem-oriented approach, displayed significant creative energy in closing drug markets. In this paper the range of responses that officers and communities developed in addressing drug markets is examined to develop a set of lessons stimulating the exploration of creative solutions in the application of effective problem-solving to other crime problems. The paper begins by examining the range of tactics that police and communities developed to close drug markets. It then explores possible reasons the police explored so many ways to close the drug markets and if similar aspects exist to attract police to tackle other crime and safety problems. Lastly, the paper discusses three lessons that can be drawn from work on drug markets and taken to tackle more complex crime and safety problems. The three lessons presented include: (1) open-air drug markets as “snowball crimes,” where one crime can produce a crime chain; (2) focusing efforts where crime is concentrated is productive; and (3) police must shift ownership of certain crime problems. Even though other approaches are also needed, police and communities will benefit from beginning with these three steps. References