One of the many applications of routine activities theory includes geographic profiling, uses satellite-positioning systems. Uses GPS to predict where certain chronic offenders or crews/gangs will strike next. In police departments that use geographical mapping software showing where crimes take place or 911 calls for service originate (i.e., spots”), this “hot technology helps policing authorities determine where they should concentrate their efforts, such as where to assign more officers. Lifestyles Perspective The lifestyles theory claims that individuals increase the probability to become victims (as well as offenders) due to the type of lifestyle they choose to engage in. For example, elderly persons are far less likely to be victimized because they tend to stay indoors, especially at night. On the other hand, younger individuals are far more likely to be victimized because they tend to go out late at night and/or hang out with other young persons. The bottom line in terms of theorizing about lifestyles is that certain individuals tend to increase the likelihood of their own victimization by associating with the very individuals most likely to commit offenses (e.g., young males), hanging out in locales that tend to serve alcohol, or not taking adequate measures to protect themselves from being victimized. Policy Implications Broken Windows Emphasizes the need for police to down” on more minor offenses to reduce more major crimes. Although many cities have claimed reductions in serious crimes by this theory (such as New York and Los Angles) the fact is that crime was reduced by the same amount across most cities during the same time (the late 1990s to mid-2000s). “Three-Strikes-You’re-Out” Assumes that offenders will make a rational choice not to commit future offenses because they could go to prison for life if they commit three. A controversial three-strikes law was passed by voter initiative in California, and other states have adopted similar types of laws. It third-time felons to prison for the rest of their lives regardless of the nature of the third felony. California first requires convictions for two felonies, crimes like “strikeable” murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, drug offenses, and so on. Then any third felony can trigger the life sentence. One study from California suggests that three-strikes reduced crime, but the remaining studies show either that three-strikes has no effect on crime or that it actually increases crime. Shaming
One of the many applications of routine activities theory includes geographic profiling, uses satellite-positioning systems. Uses GPS to predict where certain chronic offenders or crews/gangs will strike next. In police departments that use geographical mapping software showing where crimes take place or 911 calls for service originate (i.e., “hot spots”), this technology helps policing authorities determine where they should concentrate their efforts, such as where to assign more officers. Lifestyles Perspective The lifestyles theory claims that individuals increase the probability to become victims (as well as offenders) due to the type of lifestyle they choose to engage in. For example, elderly persons are far less likely to be victimized because they tend to stay indoors, especially at night. On the other hand, younger individuals are far more likely to be victimized because they tend to go out late at night and/or hang out with other young persons. The bottom line in terms of theorizing about lifestyles is that certain individuals tend to increase the likelihood of their own victimization by associating with the very individuals most likely to commit offenses (e.g., young males), hanging out in locales that tend to serve alcohol, or not taking adequate measures to protect themselves from being victimized. Policy Implications Broken Windows Emphasizes the need for police to down” on more minor offenses to reduce more major crimes. Although many cities have claimed reductions in serious crimes by this theory (such as New York and Los Angles) the fact is that crime was reduced by the same amount across most cities during the same time (the late 1990s to mid-2000s). “Three-Strikes-You’re-Out” Assumes that offenders will make a rational choice not to commit future offenses because they could go to prison for life if they commit three. A controversial three-strikes law was passed by voter initiative in California, and other states have adopted similar types of laws. It third-time felons to prison for the rest of their lives regardless of the nature of the third felony. California first requires convictions for two “strikeable” felonies, crimes like murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, drug offenses, and so on. Then any third felony can trigger the life sentence. One study from California suggests that three-strikes reduced crime, but the remaining studies show either that three-strikes has no effect on crime or that it actually increases crime. Shaming
Schram2e_CO04.docx