NCJ Number
88267
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The operative approach to crime prevention is a proactive approach which focuses on eliminating the opportunity for a criminal act to occur.
Abstract
Unlike curative crime prevention, which focuses on criminal, operative crime prevention focuses on the environment in which criminals operate. Since criminal technology and prevention technology advance at similar paces, operative crime prevention is not the full answer to crime. However, operative techniques force criminals to stop committing crime, change to another type of criminal activity, or their geographic location. The first opportunity reduction programs were target-hardening programs emphasizing physical improvements to homes or businesses as a method for reducing criminal risk. Security surveys are part of this effort. Opportunity reduction has gradually evolved to encompass personal crimes as well as property crimes. Community involvement is a crucial part of all opportunity reduction programs, which focus the responsibility for crime prevention on the individual citizen. The main advantage of opportunity reduction programs is that they actually prevent crimes. They also enhance police-community relationships by making each group view the other as part of a team working toward a common goal. Opportunity reduction techniques continue to become more and more sophisticated. These programs may increase the sense of community and ultimately aid the curative approach to crime prevention by helping to eliminate criminal desire. No references are cited.