Taking Out the Interesting Bits? Problem Solving and Crime Prevention (From Politics and Practice of Situational Crime Prevention, P 57-74, 1996, Ross Homel, ed. -- See NCJ-167524)

• NCJ Number: 167527
• Author(s): A Sutton
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Crime Prevention Studies, Volume 5

Annotation

National and international experience indicates methods other than law enforcement can reduce crime and associated harm; in particular, initiatives based on routine activity and situational theory and those addressing specific, well-defined problems may have greater impact and be less costly than law and order approaches.

Abstract

Even so, problem-solving approaches to crime prevention and focused opportunity reduction have been comparatively neglected in Australian policy discourse. Drawing on the practical fieldwork experience of crime prevention students, the author believes attempts to apply problem-focused and opportunity reduction approaches often encounter obstacles and resistance not mentioned in mainstream accounts. In presenting accounts from fieldwork experience, the author emphasizes obstacles encountered rather than successes achieved. He defends opportunity reduction and other problem-focused approaches as critical components in any crime prevention strategy. An action research methodology for identifying a specific crime problem is described and illustrated, problem analysis and assessment procedures are noted, and ways of devising cost-effective solutions to crime problems are discussed. 38 references and 1 figure