NCJ Number
88266
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A wide variety of measures can reduce opportunities for crime and property losses in rural areas.
Abstract
People can individually and collectively take many kinds of actions which directly affect their probability of being victimized by certain types of crime. These efforts must rest on an analysis of how crimes occur, not of why they occur. Risk management decisions should consider such criteria as the probable maximum loss that could occur. The vulnerability and importance of possible targets should also be assessed. Crime prevention uses mechanical tools like locking devices, electronic tools like alarm systems, and procedural tools like observation of possible targets. Crime prevention tools aim to deter potential criminals, deny them success by delaying their actions, and cause them to be detected if the crime occurs. The components of crime prevention programming include identification and analysis of the problem, identification of resources, setting of goals, and determining evaluation criteria. Farmers can protect their livestock by checking their stock often, marking all animals, checking fences and gates regularly, and reporting missing stock immediately. To protect farm products, farmers should keep property where it can be watched, lock gates and grain elevators, and use nontoxic confetti to mark grain. Lighting, locking, identifying equipment, and disabling vehicles are other methods of protecting farm equipment and supplies. Neighbors who watch each other's property, report all crimes promptly, and take other measures to help one another are the best form of crime prevention. Three references are listed.