NCJ Number
52143
Date Published
1977
Length
102 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT WAS INITIATED IN 1976 TO DETERMINE THE NATURE OF THE FENCING MARKET IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.
Abstract
DURING THE VISITS TO 12 PARTICIPATING MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, INFORMATION WAS GATHERED ON BOTH THEFTS AND FENCES. THE PROCESSING OF POLICE REPORTS ON ALL KNOWN THEFTS AND BURGLARIES FOR THE PERIODS APRIL 22-28 AND JULY 8-14 LEFT FOUR MAIN IMPRESSIONS: (1) TO A HIGH DEGREE, VICTIMS CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR OWN MISFORTUNE; (2) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THEFTS OR BURGLARIES ARE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS; (3) THE ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE VICTIM THAT IS GREATER THAN MONETARY LOSS IS RELATED TO PROPERTY DAMAGE; AND (4) POLICE ARE FRUSTRATED IN BEING UNABLE TO GIVE COMPLAINTS THEIR JUSTIFIED INVESTIGATIVE ATTENTION. AN ANALYSIS OF THEFTS AND BURGLARIES REVEALED THAT THEFTS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES WERE THE MOST FREQUENT, FOLLOWED BY GENERAL MISCELLANEOUS THEFTS, RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES, COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BURGLARIES, AND SHOPLIFTING. AS A MEANS OF ESTABLISHING A DATA BASE, THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ON FENCES WAS INITIATED BY READING APPROPRIATE FILES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE NATIONAL CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE SECTION IN VANCOUVER, THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT OF THE VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE NATIONAL HARBORS BOARD POLICE INTELLIGENCE UNIT, AND THE INSURANCE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU. CHARACTERISTICS OF FENCES AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS MEMBERS OF THE FENCING INDUSTRY WERE EXAMINED. THE TYPICAL FENCE WAS FOUND TO BE A WHITE MALE, APPROXIMATELY 36 YEARS OF AGE, HAVING AT LEAST ONE PREVIOUS CRIMINAL CONVICTION, AND THE PROPRIETOR OF A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS WITH A SERVICE-ORIENTED COMPONENT. HE WAS A GENERALIST FENCE WHO CATERED TO THE DESIRES OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND HAD A PREFERENCE FOR HOME ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT OR MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. FENCING WAS GENERALLY A SIDELINE USED TO SUPPLEMENT THE PRINCIPAL INCOME OF FENCES. THE THRIVING FENCING INDUSTRY IN THE METROPOLITAN VANCOUVER REGION HAD A DIRECT PROMOTIONAL EFFECT ON THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY. THEFT WAS THE LARGEST CRIME PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN THE STUDY, IN TERMS OF THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE AND THE RANGE OF VICTIMS. THE ANNUAL LOSS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY SUITABLE FOR FENCING AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $10 MILLION. FORMS FOR EVALUATING THE EXTENT OF FENCING OPERATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)