NCJ Number
214082
Date Published
2005
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews current practices and provides recommendations regarding the situations in which the strategic use of publicity is likely to have a positive effect on crime reduction efforts.
Abstract
The chapter begins by outlining the different types of publicity that have been used to reduce crime. These include: (1) informant strategies, such as CrimeWatch UK; (2) Offender-targeted strategies, such as personal communications with offenders; (3) strategies encouraging public action regarding safety, such as public reminders; and (4) crime prevention intervention publicity, such as publicity concerning the success of an initiative. The authors next focus on the mechanisms through which these different types of publicity should lead to crime reduction or alleviate public fear. Mechanisms include an increased risk posed to offenders, manipulation of the perceived risk to offenders, encouraging citizens to reduce risky behavior, and reassurance for citizens. Case studies are presented to highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different types of publicity approaches. The authors offer recommendations for practitioners on how to plan publicity campaigns that include a focus on the medium of publicity to be used such as newspapers or television, the message to be conveyed, the target of the message, and the timescale for the message. Some of the main concerns regarding the use of publicity for crime prevention are outlined, including questions regarding the impact a particular campaign might have on the behavior of offenders as well as those at risk. In closing the authors note the potential of publicity to have anticipatory benefits, the maximization of which should be the focus of future research. Tables, figures, notes, references