NCJ Number
212310
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 17-32
Date Published
2005
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article explores a problem-oriented approach for understanding the nature of urban homicide patterns in the United States.
Abstract
Criminological research has shown that crime is concentrated among a relatively small group of offenders, victims, and places. Using a problem-oriented approach to crime control can be effective at reducing targeted crime problems. One of the main difficulties in effectively utilizing a problem-oriented approach to crime problems is the often weak problem analysis that misidentifies crime problems. However, a set of simple problem analysis methods have emerged that lend insight to urban homicide problems in cities throughout the United States; these methods include documenting the criminal backgrounds and criminal justice system contacts of homicide offenders and victims; conducting homicide incident reviews; and identifying gang, criminal group, and inter-group conflict patterns. Each method is discussed in turn as the author applies the methods to understanding the homicide problem in the city of Stockton, CA, which has a homicide rate of 14.2 per 100,000. The methodologies generated policy-relevant insights into the homicide problem in Stockton, which were then used to re-focus Stockton’s “Operation Peacekeeper” violence reduction program. Figures, tables, notes