CRIME PREVENTION

Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention

Introduction

There is no single definition for crime prevention. Different authors and studies offer varying definitions. Many early definitions actually used the term crime control either in place of crime prevention or within the definition. However, crime control alludes to maintenance of a given or existing level of crime and the management of that amount of crime behavior. True crime prevention looks to do more than just maintain a certain level of crime or to manage offenders and crime. Paul Ekblom offers a definition that revolves around interventions that reduce the risk of crime and its consequences. Such a definition addresses both crime and its impact on individuals and society. One of the very important consequences of crime that should be addressed in prevention initiatives is the fear of crime. While most definitions of crime prevention incorporate the ideas of lessening the actual levels of crime or limiting further increases in crime, few specifically deal with the problem of fear of crime and perceived crime and victimization. Steven P. Lab offers a definition that explicitly addresses crime and the fear of crime: Crime prevention entails any action designed to reduce the actual level of crime and/or the perceived fear of crime. (Bowers & Johnson, 2005)

Crime prevention actions are not restricted to the efforts of the criminal justice system. They include activities by individuals and groups, both public and private. Just as there are many causes of crime, there are many potentially valuable approaches to crime prevention. This entry examines crime prevention from a very broad perspective. Included here is a discussion of the history of crime prevention, different crime prevention models, and major crime prevention approaches, as well as insight into the effectiveness of prevention activities. (Bowers & Johnson, 2005)

The Crime Prevention Model

Crime prevention encompasses a wide range of actions and activities, all geared toward reducing crime and/or the fear of crime. Three areas of prevention appear in this model— primary, secondary, and tertiary—and each attacks the problem at different stages of development. From the public health viewpoint, primary prevention refers to actions taken to avoid the initial development of the disease or problem. (Laycock, 2005)

This would include vaccinations and sanitary cleanups by public health officials. Secondary prevention moves beyond the point of general societal concerns and focuses on individuals and situations that exhibit early signs of disease. Included at this stage are screening tests such as those for tuberculosis or systematically providing examinations to workers who handle toxic materials. Tertiary prevention rests at the point where the disease or problem has already manifested itself. Activities at this stage entail the elimination of the immediate problem and taking steps designed to inhibit a reoccurrence in the future. Paul Brantingham and Frederic Faust took this public health model and outlined an analogous crime prevention model. (Brantingham and Faust, 1976)

The Physical Environment and Crime

One of the more well-known approaches in primary prevention entails modifying the physical environment. Changing the physical design of a home, business, or neighborhood has the potential of effecting crime in a variety of ...