NCJ Number
197845
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 63-72
Editor(s)
Bonnie S. Fisher,
Martin Gill
Date Published
2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the crime of auto burglary within the confines of an entertainment district on the west coast of Florida, and examined the factors that offenders often considered to determine the time, location, and targets of their auto theft crimes.
Abstract
The site of this study, Ybor City, Florida, is a major historic and entertainment district in the Tampa metropolitan area, but is in a low-income residential area with a high level of criminal activity. The study goal was to discover if there was a connection between crime, time, and place in the selection by offenders of their targets. The official crime information was collected and analyzed within the context of the SARA model of problem solving. Location, temporal, victim, and offender variables were considered. The SARA model uses a four-step problem-solving strategy of scanning the environment for useful information, conducting an analysis of the data collected, following this with appropriate response, and later conducting an assessment of the interventions. Security-related situational crime prevention suggestions are made based on the study findings. Topics covered include the SARA model; research site; methodology; results from the official police data; victim precautions; offender methods; and conclusions and implications. Tables include frequency distribution of auto burglaries in Ybor City by location type; frequency distribution of auto burglaries; victim precautions in Ybor City auto burglaries; and frequency and use of security devices by victims. It was concluded that nighttime hours were when 84 percent of the burglaries took place. It is recommended that police and security officials can work in a complementary fashion to develop strategies and policies to reduce the number of auto-related crimes. It was found that the SARA Model can be relied upon to aid decision making by police and private security officials. 34 Notes