Clark's Theory On Situational Crime Prevention

Routine activity theory states that for a crime to be committed, three important factors need to be present including: a motivated offender, an accessible target, and the absence of a capable guardian against a violation. Marcus Felson and Lawrence E. Cohen introduced the routine activity theory in 1979, where they believed that an individual who has these three characteristics gives them a greater possibility of committing a crime. Moreover, situational crime prevention is known as strategies of ways for preventing or reducing the opportunities for criminals to commit crimes that derive from the routines of an individual’s everyday life. Ronald V. Clarke introduced situational crime prevention theory in 1983, where he believed that removing the situation instead of removing the criminal could prevent crime. In this paper, I will be discussing what routine activity/situational crime prevention theory is, and apply two peer-reviewed articles from Google Scholar that test the routine activity/situational crime prevention theory by discussing what the authors are trying to figure out and discuss their findings, and lastly, tie the routine activity/situational crime prevention theory articles to our textbook in hopes to fully understand in depth what the theory encompasses.

This essay will outline how crime theories are able to assist in recognizing the causes of criminal activity, as well as demonstrating two criminological theories to two particular crimes. Overviews of trends, dimensions and victim/offenders characteristics of both crime groups will be specified. The two particular crimes that will be demonstrated throughout this essay are; Violent Crime (focusing on Assault) being linked with social learning theory and White Collar crime (focusing on terrorism) being linked to General Strain theory. In criminology, determining the motive of why people commit crimes is crucial. Over the years, many theories have been developed and they continue to be studied as criminologists pursue the best answers in eventually diminishing certain types of crime including assaults and terrorism, which will be focused on.

Scarce research is available on active offenders due to their unwillingness to corporate with researchers and past and convicted offenders may have changed their perspectives after being convicted or left their lifestyle of crime. The most reliable data on these offenses and their perpetrators may come from active burglars themselves. Richard T. Wright and Scott Decker’s book, Burglars on the Job seeks to explain the reasons why burglars commit the crimes they do. They have taken their research to another level by gaining the trust of active offenders in the St. Louis area and gaining inside knowledge of these criminals’ daily lives and their crimes. This paper will address

as a general concept, social learning theory has been applied to the many different fields of social science to explain why certain individuals develop motivation to commit (or abstain from) crime and develop the skills to commit crime through the people they associate with. Social Learning Theory (SLT) is one of the most frequently looked at theories in the criminology field. This theory was introduced by Ronald L. Akers as a reformulation of Edwin H. Sutherland 's (1947) differential association theory of crime meld with principles of behavior psychology (Bradshaw, 2011). Akers retained the concepts of differential association and definitions from Sutherland 's theory, but conceptualized them in more behavioral terms and

As human beings we all see and hear about crimes from a day to day basis. We all question why we have crime and what makes a person commit a crime.

The theories of situational crime prevention as well as routine activity imply a series of opportunities available to criminals which could have been prevented if the victim had behaved in a different way (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). There are several offenses committed daily where some level of fault falls upon the victim. The situational crime prevention theory lists a reduction of opportunities as well as increased risks for being apprehended as way of reducing crime rates. A study conducted on situational crime prevention did prove the theory to be effective in several cases, it should be noted that it was not completely fail proof (Clarke, 1997). This study utilized deliberate acts of prevention to reduce crime, including surveillance, foot patrols,

A theory is an explanation of why or how things are related to each other (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Additionally, a theory is defined as a plausible or scientifically acceptable principle, or a body of principles, offered to explain phenomena (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2017). Furthermore, crime theories examine and attempt to identify relationships among humans, criminal behavior, and specific factors such as biological factors, psychological factors, sociological factors, and economic factors (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Since we have defined a theory, let us further discuss how theories are created beginning with the components of a theory.

This perspective looks at how the environment affects human behavior to the extent that an individual may not commit a crime as a rational actor or out of free will. In doing this it utilizes both statistics and geography, in order to find patterns that may not be seen by the average person. Looking at the maps and data collected over time an ecological criminologist analyzes the patterns to predict criminal behavior. An example of this is the “thermic law of crime,” which shows that different types of crime tend to be more prevalent in certain seasons of the

Some analysts have claimed that situational crime prevention has been the fastest-growing worldwide, yet much of this programming has been carried out without knowledge of its scientific foundation. Situational crime prevention has developed equal opportunity reduction and many such programs have been crafted on the basis of experts’ own judgment and experiences. Lack of knowledge with scientific research substances situational crime prevention has resulted in some inadequately thought out initiatives, which have been widely criticized (https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publicaions/abstract.aspx?ID=235583).

Situational crime prevention theory prevents crime in five ways. First, by adding to the effort it takes offenders to commit a crime, such as placing bars on windows or installing a fence in a yard. Second, by increasing the chances of an offender being noticed, such as installing security cameras, burglar alarms, and outside lighting. Third, by lessening the payoff of a crime. Fourth, by removing excuses offered by the crime setting, such as things that constrain guilt or shame. Fifth, by lessening the environment provocations. Crime prevention through environmental design is another approach of situational crime prevention that include designing or redesigning a physical space to offer fewer opportunities for crimes.

Physical enhancements and beautification of a neighborhood are important components of both increasing the perception of safety and reducing real crime. The environmental design, conditions around a place and how the place is used can lend opportunity for crime to occur (Taylor, 2002). Crime is everywhere and will forever exist as long as there are people in the world. Socio-ecnomic background, ethnicity and geographic location does not change the presence of crime. Research on environmental criminology has concluded that geographic location and buildings architectural features and design have much to contribute to offenders’ opportunity for criminial activity and victimization in a community.

The objective of this study is to examine how developmental theories impact implementation of Crime Prevention Programs. Welsh and Farrington (2010) note that crime prevention holds different meanings for different people and the programs and policies focused on crime prevention includes the arrest by police who are coping with problems associated with gangs and a court disposal of the case, secure correctional facility transfer and even the death penalty. All of these programs and policies are focused on control of crime and this includes crime prevention relating to prevention of crimes.

The cause of crime, like many societal phenomena, is a source of global contention. Theorists throughout history have repeatedly attempted to deconstruct criminal minds to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of crime. Not only can criminological theory explore the motivations of criminals living and dead; but it can also be a lens through which to examine fictional crime. Animal Kingdom (2010) introduces a criminal family in Sydney—largely responsible for armed robberies and drug crimes—from the perspective of 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody. He moves in with his grandmother, “Smurf”, when his mother dies from a drug overdose. As he spends more time with his mother’s family, he becomes an unwilling participant in the family’s criminal exploits

According to the Australian Government of Criminology (2017), Crime prevention is ‘an effective approach to reducing crime. It is internationally recognised as an important component of a national approach to building viable communities.’ This essay will examine the case of the kings Cross shooting that occurred in 2012, involving the Indigenous community, Sydney police and Society. it will cover the importance of Crime prevention and the strategies in which are ideal to maintain the safety and security of the community and the offender partaking in the crime. This essay will focus broadly on the perspective of Social Crime Prevention, and the importance it obtains to prevent crime from occurring.

The focus of this paper will be based upon different crime prevention strategies implemented by members of the communities, local and government authorities.