CRIME PREVENTION

What is crime prevention, and how do we work together to achieve it?

Despite centuries of effort, crime continues to be a problem in every facet of society.  Historians document law enforcement's early remedy for criminal acts as being "swift and severe punishment" in an attempt to deter others from crime.  Yet, crime continued to rise.  As far back as the 1700s, it was recognized that a change in attitude toward crime is needed. Rather than continue with the "reactive" manner, crime needed to be handled in a more pro-active theory.  England's historical documentation indicates that groups, known as "Thief Takers" and "Informers," were created to prevent crime before it occurred, and identify wrongdoers after the fact.  These were the first steps taken in the organization of crime prevention.

The basic principles of crime prevention are the development of a strong police force, the organization of an active group of citizen householders, and the initiation of action that would serve to remove some of the causes of crime and the conditions in which it flourished.  These principles were to accomplish two goals: stamp out existing crime and the conditions in which it flourished.  This has been the focus of law enforcement since the creation of the first police force in 1829.  However, due to increasing criminal activity, law enforcement has placed priority on the apprehension of criminals.  Therefore, a research group was organized to focus on crime prevention methods.  After much study and following the group's recommendations, a number of steps were taken to institutionalize crime prevention.  This included the development of a formalized national crime prevention training program, which has been in effect since 1963.

The Texas Crime Prevention Institute (TCPI) was created 11 years later in 1974 with the combined efforts of the Office of the Governor of the state of Texas, the Criminal Justice Division, and a grant to Southwest Texas State University.  Since that time, the definition of crime prevention has been adopted as the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of action to remove or reduce it.  It must be recognized that crime may result from both the desire to commit a crime and the feeling or belief that the opportunity is available.  Although reducing the desire to commit a crime may be difficult to tackle, a more reasonable area to attack is criminal opportunity.  This can be accomplished by improving personal and property security, increasing surveillance levels, expanding public involvement, and developing new approaches to withstand crime.

Crime prevention has an element of security. It is a form of resistance.  Through the implementation of particular measures, people can improve the security of their environment in a manner that a potential attacker feels is so daunting that he believes he is incapable of reaching his desired intentions.

Security is not limited to the installation of locking devices.  It also includes the utilization of the devices.  Too many times the criminal takes advantage of unlocked doors and windows that allow him entry into homes, businesses, offices, and vehicles.  If they were properly secured, it may have deterred the criminal from taking advantage of the situation.

Crime Prevention Institutes recognizes that the most important element in the fight against crime is the public.  Crime is truly a community problem and must be seen as such if crime is to be significantly reduced.  Increased safety of a community cannot be achieved unless every member believes that he or she has an important obligation to his or her security and the security of others in the community.

A community is defined as a group or class that has a common interest.  Faculty, staff, and students of the university share common interests within the establishment's community.  Everyone must share the responsibility of ensuring personal safety and the safety of the university community.  This begins with the knowledge for the need of increased security.  It is our obligation to participate and support all the steps in crime prevention.

Source :
Institute of Criminal Justice,
Southwest Texas State University
Crime Prevention Training Manual

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