NCJ Number
196210
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2002 Pages: 29-52
Date Published
2002
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated problem-oriented policing (POP) used to handle motor vehicle theft in Israel.
Abstract
POP was recently established to handle Israel’s rapidly increasing rates of motor vehicle theft. This represents a radical transition in police work, from a traditional, reactive approach to a novel proactive approach. POP is a strategy to solve persistent community problems by identifying, analyzing, and responding appropriately to the underlying circumstances that create individual incidents. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the new National Unit for the Treatment of Motor Vehicle Theft (MVT), also known as Etgar. The frequency level of MVT and the characterization of MVT were analyzed. The findings show that the distribution of MVT in the absolute number of stolen MVs during the 1990's was characterized by two consecutive, sharp trends: a rise during the control and before-Etgar periods, followed by a fall during the after-Etgar period. Because the proactive Etgar unit began its work in the field precisely in 1998, it would seem to have exerted a decisive effect on the MVT offense rate. The new proactive policy, specifically focusing on the reduction of demand sources for used car parts taken from stolen MVs, brought about a significant decrease in the number of stolen MVs in the country. The findings preclude the explanation that the trends in MVT were a direct function of the number of registered MVs, inhabitants, or reported property offenses because both offense rates took into account increases in the number of registered MVs and inhabitants and the proportion of MVT files in the total number of property offense files. A very important part of MVT was related to a well-established professional criminal industry operated by gangs of Palestinians and Israeli Arabs. The theft of MVs was mainly for personal use or for dismantling and resale of car parts. Follow-up over more years is called for to assess the impact of the unit over a longer term. Results show that despite the decrease in the number of offenses committed, the unit has not succeeded in changing the sophisticated professional profile of the offense. 2 figures, 2 tables, 8 notes, 92 references