NCJ Number
197230
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 63-82
Date Published
2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the classification of 16 techniques for controlling situational precipitators of crime.
Abstract
The classification is based on the argument that there are two distinct situational forces acting upon potential offenders -- the perceived costs and benefits of intended criminal acts and factors that may induce individuals to commit crimes that they would not have otherwise considered. The focus of the paper is on providing examples from the literature to demonstrate the efficacy of various techniques. The proposed techniques involve altering immediate environments in ways that reduce opportunities for crime. The category of "removing excuses" is essentially the same as the rationale for "reducing permissibility." The paper considers moral distortions as precipitators on the grounds that they are primarily concerned with psychologically preparing individuals to commit crime that they would not have otherwise committed. Resolution of these sorts of overlaps is described as beyond the scope of this paper. However, further work is required to better integrate the two classifications. Figure, table, notes