NCJ Number
18881
Date Published
1975
Length
72 pages
Annotation
A SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION UNIT WAS PUT INTO ACTION IN SEATTLE WHICH RESULTED IN A TWENTY PERCENT DECREASE IN LARCENIES OVER 50 DOLLARS, WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS OF KING COUNTY.
Abstract
THE MAIN ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAM WERE SURVEILLANCE AND INTELLIGENCE, TARGET HARDENING, AND IDENTIFICATION OF OUTLETS FOR STOLEN PROPERTY. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO IDENTIFY AND TO OBSERVE KNOWN RESIDENTIAL BURGLARS IN THE TARGET AREA. THE TARGET HARDENING PHASE INVOLVED CITIZEN EDUCATION SESSIONS AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION PROGRAMS (WHICH WERE NOT PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL). RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY WAS IMPLEMENTED WITH THE ASSIGNATION OF ONE OFFICER TO THE PAWNSHOP UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT'S CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION AND INCREASED AWARENESS AND EFFORT BY THE WHOLE UNIT. DESPITE THE FACT THAT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES OVER 50 DOLLARS ACTUALLY INCREASED IN THE TARGET AREA DURING THE SPAN OF THE PROJECT, IT WAS A MUCH SMALLER INCREASE THAN THE REST OF KING COUNTY. THE THREE WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED IN THE APPENDIX AND DATA TABLES ARE INCLUDED ON OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS, METHODS OF ENTRY, DISPLACEMENT EFFECTS, AND BURGLARY INVESTIGATION TIME.