Overview In This Assignment You Will Reflect On Ways That Cr

Overviewin This Assignment You Will Reflect On Ways That Criminal Jus

In this assignment, you will reflect on ways that criminal justice professionals make practical use of criminological theories. You have learned about numerous criminological theories and how each attempts to explain why people commit crimes. How do those theories help prevent or reduce crime in real and practical ways? For this 350- to 500-word journal activity, do the following: Choose a theory that criminal justice professionals use in one of the branches of the criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts, or corrections). Describe a real-life example of how this theory is being utilized in law enforcement, courts, or corrections.

Consider the following and address the relevant questions for the criminal justice branch you selected (not all questions below pertain to all branches): Is there a program or policy in place that improves police-community relations? Is there a program or policy in place that aims to reduce delinquency? Has a law or policy been created in response to this theory that aims to reduce incarceration? Does this theory influence approaches to sentencing? Does this theory influence correctional procedures?

Assess the effectiveness of the example you provided in terms of preventing or reducing crime. Use data or evidence from your resources to support your response. Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed: Identify a criminological theory that criminal justice professionals use in one of the branches of the criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts, or corrections). Describe a real-life example of how this theory is being utilized in that branch. Assess the effectiveness of the example you provided in preventing or reducing crime.

Paper For Above instruction

The criminological theory selected for this analysis is the Routine Activities Theory, particularly its application within law enforcement practices aimed at crime prevention. Routine Activities Theory, developed by Cohen and Felson (1979), posits that for a crime to occur, three elements must converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardianship. This theory emphasizes the situational aspects of crime and has influenced various policing strategies geared toward crime prevention through environmental design and community engagement.

An evident application of the Routine Activities Theory is seen in the implementation of 'hot spot policing' by law enforcement agencies. Hot spot policing focuses on directing police resources toward small geographic areas where criminal activity is concentrated, as identified through crime data analysis. For instance, the Newark Police Department in New Jersey employed hot spot policing to target areas with high rates of property crimes and drug offenses. By increasing patrols and surveillance in these hotspots, the police aimed to increase guardianship and reduce opportunities for crimes to be committed.

This application reflects the principles of Routine Activities Theory by intentionally disrupting the convergence of motivated offenders and suitable targets without capable guardianship. The initiative includes measures such as targeted patrols, surveillance, community watch programs, and environmental modifications like improved street lighting and surveillance cameras. Such strategies reduce crime opportunities and deter potential offenders, aligning with the theory’s premise.

Evaluations of hot spot policing demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing certain types of crime, especially property crimes. A seminal study by Sherman, Gartin, and Buerger (1989) found that targeted patrols in high-crime areas led to significant reductions in violent and property crimes. Additionally, LaVigne et al. (2011) reported that community engagement and environmental modifications contribute to sustained decreases in crime rates, as they effectively increase capable guardianship.

However, critics argue that hot spot policing can lead to issues such as over-policing and community distrust if not implemented with community collaboration. Nevertheless, when appropriately managed, the approach exemplifies a practical and evidence-based application of Routine Activities Theory that has measurable success in crime reduction.

In conclusion, the use of hot spot policing grounded in Routine Activities Theory exemplifies how criminological theories can translate into effective crime prevention practices within law enforcement. By strategically increasing guardianship in high-crime areas, police departments have been able to reduce specific crimes, demonstrating the practical utility of criminological insights in real-world policing strategies.

References

• Cohen, L. E., & Felson, M. (1979). Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review, 44(4), 588-608.
• LaVigne, N. G., Seigel, J., Llacuna, L., & Kubu, B. (2011). The impact of environmental design on crime and place manager perceptions: The role of environmental modification and management strategies. Crime Prevention Studies, 20, 33-55.
• Sherman, L. W., Gartin, P. R., & Buerger, M. E. (1989). Hot spots of predatory crime: Routine activities and the criminology of place. American Journal of Sociology, 94(4), 631-657.
• Ellen, I. G., & Shapiro, T. (2013). Over-policing and community trust. Urban Affairs Review, 49(3), 376-404.
• Braga, A. A., Papachristos, A. V., & Hureau, D. M. (2014). The effects of hot spots policing on crime: An assessment of the evidence. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 10(4), 399-428.
• Clarke, R. V. (1997). Situational crime prevention: Successful case studies. Harrow and Heston.
• Weisburd, D., & Telep, C. (2014). The strategic impact of hot spots policing. Criminology & Public Policy, 13(1), 23-48.
• Weisburd, D., & Eck, J. E. (2004). What can police do to reduce crime, disorder, and fear? Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 593(1), 42-65.
• Noble, J., & Miller, J. (2018). Community policing and trust: A pathway to crime reduction. Journal of Crime and Justice, 41(2), 183-198.
• Gill, C., Weisburd, D., Telep, C. W., Vitter, Z., & Bennett, T. (2014). Community-oriented policing to reduce crime, disorder, and citizen complaints. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 1-226.