| Subject: Crime Prevention |
Entry Level Law Enforcement |
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1. Topic-
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| Crime Prevention and Assisting in Preventing Crime |
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2. Content-
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Crime Prevention- 4.50
Crime Prevention- 4.51 |
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3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
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Crime Prevention - 4.50
1.Participants should be able to advise residents / businesses about
ways to secure their homes / facilities
Crime Prevention- 4.51
2.Participants should be able to Identify ways to assist in the prevention
of crime
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4. Objectives-
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Crime Prevention - 4.50
1.Participants will be given a written exam, that will require them
to Identify topics to discuss with residents / businesses about security
in the following areas:
4.50.1 --- Doors
4.50.2 --- Windows
4.50.3 --- Shrubbery
4.50.4 --- Locks
4.50.5 --- Lights
4.50.6 --- Sliding Glass
4.50.7 --- Vents
4.50.8 --- Dropped Ceilings
4.50.9 --- Alarms.
Crime Prevention- 4.51
1.Participants will be given a written exam that will require them
to identify organized problem solving methods and to identify and
assist in prevention the contributing factors to crime.
4.51.1 --- Identify Crimes Occurring in the area
4.51.2 --- Identify the root cause of a crime
4.51.3 --- Identify local resources
4.51.4 --- Identify possible solutions
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5. Materials and Aids-
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Crime Prevention -The Law Enforcement Officers Practical Guide by
Richard Arrington
Webster's Revised Unabridged / Dictionary .com
American Heritage Dictionary
VCPA Basic Crime Prevention Manual
You Tube
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6. Procedures/Methods-
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A. Introduction-
1.What is Crime?
Any unlawful activity
A serious offense, especially one in violation of morality
An unjust, senseless or disgraceful act or condition
Any violation of law either divine or human; an omission of a duty
commanded; or the commission of an act forbidden by law.
2.What is Prevention?
An effectual hindrance
A hindrance or an obstacle
Anticipation of needs or wishes; hence Precaution or forethought
The obstruction of an action, access or approach; thwarting.
3.Crime Prevention is EVERY law enforcement officers responsibility
§ 15.2-1704. Powers and duties of a police force.
A. The police force of a locality is hereby invested with all the
power and authority which formerly belonged to the office of constable
at common law and is responsible for the prevention and detection
of crime, the apprehension of criminals, the safeguard of life and
property, the preservation of peace and the enforcement of state and
local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
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B. Development-
1.Four parts to Crime Prevention
Anticipation - brings in the "forethought"� aspect of the prevention
definition
Recognition - Some crimes are not recognized and may go undetected,
unreported, or improperly reported. Cases such as fraud or embezzlement
may go undetected, but cases such as robbery, assault or burglary
are generally very visible.
Appraisal - the opportunities and risk that contribute to a crime
need to be identified and an action plan developed to remove or reduce
the contributing factors
Action - law enforcement must then, with the assistance of the public,
move to reduce and remove the contributing factors.
2.Causes of Crime
Economics
Decaying morals and values
Breakdown in the "traditional"� family values
Glamorization of drugs, violence, and self-indulgence
Thrill seekers
Human dysfunction (individuals, gangs).
3.Crime Reduction Theory - Crime Triangle
The following elements need to be present before a crime can take
place
If one or more of the elements is removed, then the probability of
a crime taking place is reduced or in some cases eliminated.
Desire - due to greed,revenge, jealousy, insanity, or need
Ability - desire must have the skill or knowledge to carry out the
deed
Opportunity - must be present along with the desire and ability in
order for the crime to be effective.
In most cases the Desire factor can not be easily controlled
Limiting the Ability factor can also be an issue
The Desire and Ability factors are most often in the control of the
criminal
However - the Opportunity factor can be affected by reducing or eliminating
the potential elements that provide that opportunity.
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C. Practice-
1.Advising Residents / Businesses About Ways to Secure Their Premises
2.Controllable Elements
Unlocked doors
Hitchhiking
Children unattended in cars
Poor lighting
Large sums of cash
Poor design
Burglary / larceny / auto theft
Sexual assault / abduction / robbery
Abduction / death / accidental injury
Robbery / assault / vandalism / larceny
Robbery / embezzlement
All of the above
3.Security Systems
Perimeter - fencing / landscaping / lighting
Exterior - doors / windows / vents / roof / walls
Interior - inventory control / key control / access control / monitoring
4.Target Hardening
Deter
Detect
Delay
Deny
5.Doors
Are the most common point of entry due to either poor design or they
are simply left unlocked
Wood = most common due to cost factor, but if poor in design or installation
could be a potential "weakness"� in overall security system
Metal = offers best security, but can be costly
If wood is used, should be at least 1 ¾'' thick and of solid core
design
The frame should be reinforced at the strike plate and hinge area
Exterior doors need their hinges on the inside or need tamper resistant
hinges
The hardware should be adequate to the door
Glass doors - should consider replacing or covering with a polycarbonate
material / using metal or mesh as a covering
If a solid door, a door viewer should be installed
Storm or screen door offer protection against elements and nature
but from the human factor.
6.Windows
Should always stay locked
Double hung - sash type- are the most common
Clamshell lock is the most common
Can be compromised with thin blade knife
Ratcheting style lock is a better option
Lock pins / dowels into the rails.
Sliding windows are one of the hardest to secure
Use of a track wedge or Charlie Bar
Track locks are available
The use of screws in the upper track may also be an option.
7.Trees / Shrubbery
Should be trimmed at or below window level
Needs to be neatly maintained for definition and visibility
Can be used as a natural boundary
Can define or hide depending on the application and maintenance
Trees should be trimmed between 6-8 feet up for clearance and visibility.
8.Locks
Latch plate should be secured with a minimum 2'' or longer screw
Deadbolts offer the best protection
A double cylinder deadbolt or a jimmy proof deadbolt are at the top
of the list
The bolt should have a minimum 1'' throw into the jamb for effectiveness
9.Key Control
If a new or new to you home or apartment, change those locks
For a business application, a main employee door may need to be re-
keyed after an employee dismissal or other situation
Perhaps keyless entry (electronic) may be an option for places with
higher turn over rates.
10.Lighting
DOJ Study
Although there is no statistically significant evidence that street
lighting impacts the level of crime, there is a strong indication
that increased lighting, perhaps lighting uniformity decreases the
fear of crime.
11.Vents
Vent systems can be secured with such devices as grates, security
bars and motion detectors
Roof ventilation systems are sometimes targeted as a point of entry
Most residential systems are not large enough to make them easily
accessible
12.Alarms
Control Unit
Detector
Alarm
Sensor
a. Sensors
Contact
Motion
Heat
Pressure
Glass Break
b. Zones and Tactics
Perimeter
Interior Trap
Audible
Silent
13.Identifying Ways To Assist In Preventing Crime
Criminal vs non-Criminal
14.Identify Local Resources.
Law Enforcement
Inspections / Zoning
CPTED
Utilities
Health Department / Social Services
Public Awareness Presentations
Highway Maintenance
Neighborhood Watch Organizations
McGruff Houses
Parks and Recreation
Housing
Citizens on patrol
Others As May Be Identified
15.Identify Possible Solutions
A state of awareness at all times
Practice good home security
Practice your observation skills
Research crime in your area
Good judgment / common sense
Follow department policy and procedure
Use your community resources
Don't be afraid to ask questions
Be a community resource
Trust your Instinct.
16.Reducing the Opportunity
Businesses - practice safe cash handling procedures / advertise low
amounts on hand / provide visibility
Residential - good locks / reinforced strike plates / maintained landscaping
/ appropriate lighting
Fraud - direct deposit instead of relying on the mailbox / shred documents
/ guard you personal information.
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Closure-
Crime Prevention
There is no magic formula to keep any of us from becoming a victim
of a crime
There is however a lot that we can do for ourselves to reduce or remove
the Opportunity
Our job as public servants is to provide our citizens with the best
combination of prevention, detection, and apprehension possible
Crime Prevention ---It's Everyone's Responsibility"�.
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