NCJ Number
74608
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1980) Pages: 179-190
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Measures used to prevent burglary are outlined using the example of the Seattle Community Crime Prevention Program and suggestions presented in brochures.
Abstract
The Seattle program has relied on four measures which have been empirically verified as valid. The first and most effective step in burglary prevention is giving an unoccupied house the appearance of being occupied; e.g., stopping the mail and paper and using light timers. Second, as many burglaries occur during the day when they can be observed, it is effective to establish a neighborhood watch with neighbors noting any suspicious activities at nearby houses. Third, citizens are encouraged to install devices such as bars and locks, which make their homes difficult to enter. However, the effectiveness of this approach is questionable. Fourth, potential victims are instructed to mark their personal property so that it will be difficult to fence. Measures mentioned in literature but not included in the Seattle program are social prevention to reduce crime conducive to social deprivation, general dissuasion, incarceration of multirecidivist burglars, and design of structures less susceptible to burglars than existing ones. In contrast to the Seattle program, the brochures published on crime prevention tend to be general, to be incomplete in their discussion of preventive measures, and to neglect findings of empirical research. Furthermore, they usually present a stereotyped image of the dangerous adult burglar which is likely to arouse fear in readers. It is concluded that measures giving residences the appearance of being occupied and neighborhood watch efforts are the most effective means of limiting burglaries. Notes and a 28-item bibliography are supplied.