Crime Prevention and System Design (From Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety, P 266-293, 2005, Nick Tilley, ed, -- See NCJ-214069)

• NCJ Number: 214079
• Author(s): Nick Tilley
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This chapter focuses on the design of systems for the prevention of crime.

Abstract

In this context, “system” refers to “any set of organized or consciously developed habitual human behaviors.” The chapter focuses on the patterned and unintended crime consequences of systems that are purposively designed. The author considers ways in which systems can be designed or configured to either facilitate or inhibit criminal activities. The main argument is that system designs aimed at reducing or preventing crime need to meet a range of objectives, the reduction of crime being only one. The chapter begins with a description of the many ways systems can be conducive to crime, such as by furnishing rewards for crime and by legitimating crime. Ways for systems to inhibit crimes are also considered, using a university as a system example. There are a variety of ways that systems can be designed to inhibit criminal activities, such as by (1) making crime appear more risky to offenders; (2) by making crime appear more difficult to accomplish; (3) by making crime appear less rewarding; (4) by creating offender uncertainty; (5) by reducing crime provocation; (6) by reminding offenders of rules; (7) by denying resources for crime; (8) by facilitating detection; (9) by reducing the supply of likely offenders; and (10) by identifying and repairing problems. The author links a variety of criminological theories to system design and development, including situational crime prevention theory, environmental criminological perspectives, routine activities theory, and crime evolution theory. A case study of work to reduce risk to taxi-drivers is presented to illustrate the main themes of system design for crime prevention. Finally, the ethics of crime prevention and system design are explored and the author highlights the opportunities to “think” crime into system design at the outset rather than waiting for crime to become a problem in need of a solution. Figure, tables, notes, references