NCJ Number
61856
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS GERMAN ARTICLE DISCUSSES PROBLEMS OF COUNTERMEASURES, OPINION POLLS, LEGAL PROTECTION, AND POLICE ACTION IN CRIME PREVENTION, AND SUGGESTS 10 DEMANDS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION INCLUDES BOTH DETERRING PUNISHABLE OFFENSES AND REMOVING THE CAUSES OF CRIME AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. IT INCLUDES THE THREAT OF PUNISHMENT, THE CORRECTION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR, AND THE PLACEMENT OF OBSTACLES THAT MAKE CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION MORE DIFFICULT. CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES CAN RANGE FROM LEGAL AND OFFICIAL PROHIBITION OF FRAUD-CONDUCIVE CONTRACTS TO THE REINFORCEMENT OF VALUES THAT VIEW KILLING AS MORALLY REPUGNANT. THESE AND OTHER PREVENTION METHODS CAN BE MEASURED BY OPINION SURVEYS, BE TARGETED TO SPECIFIC GROUPS, AND BE LINKED WITH COMPREHENSIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE. CRIME PREVENTION SHOULD TREAT BOTH SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF CRIME--SUCH AS CHARACTER, CAREER, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERRORISTS. PREVENTIVE PLANNERS NEED TO TAKE CONCEPTS OF LEGAL PROTECTION INTO ACCOUNT AND RECOGNIZE THAT POLICE ACTION WHICH MERELY DISPLACES CRIME HAS NO PREVENTIVE VALUE. SOME EFFECTIVE PREVENTION METHODS ARE PENALIZING OR CRIMINALISING THE CRIMOGENIC PERIPHERY OF PUNISHABLE OFFENSES--SUPPORT OF TERRORIST GROUPS, FOR EXAMPLE; ENCOURAGING USE OF ANTI-BURGLAR ALARM INCENTIVES BY INSURANCE COMPANIES; AND GIVING POLICE ADDITIONAL CRIME PREVENTION RESPONSIBILITIES. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE RESEARCH THAT FORECASTS THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF CRIME, MEDIA COOPERATION, ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL AND SUPER-REGIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR CRIME PREVENTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND COORDINATION OF CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. (AOP)