NCJ Number
175362
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: November 1998 Pages: 325-350
Date Published
1998
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This analysis of efforts to address organized crime examines the impact of global economic integration, the interdependence between organized and traditional crime, the potential of crime prevention to be more effective than current approaches that emphasize enforcement, and recommended steps toward organized crime prevention.
Abstract
The current enforcement activities aimed at detection, seizure, and confiscation of assets and the prosecution of offenders are not substantially hurting organized criminal enterprises or reducing the overall threat of organized crime. The current efforts have been ineffective because they have neither included prevention as a strategic objective nor have they used the strategic insights of crime prevention and the crucial ingredients for successful intervention. In addition, some data suggest that some of current efforts may be contributing to the problem itself. The process of global economic integration has helped organized crime syndicates rise to new levels of affluence and power. In addition, much criminal activity is increasingly interdependent with other forms of criminal activity at the regional, national, and international level. However, global thinking coupled with local action can be used to address the substructure of transnational organized crime effectively. Viable prevention-oriented partnerships among citizens, police, and local partners can strongly influence the factors conducive to the creation and maintenance of local markets for illicit goods and services. The success of specific efforts to address traditional crime have implications for efforts to address organized crime, but several basic shifts in thinking and strategy will be required for this to occur. Case examples, figure, notes, and 89 references (Author abstract modified)