CRIM 350 Midterm SFU

What is the core definition of crime prevention?

Any proactive intervention intended to reduce the likelihood of a criminal act or prevent the onset of criminal behavior.

How does crime prevention differ from traditional criminal justice approaches?

It focuses on anticipation and problem-solving rather than punishment.

What are the four key steps of the crime prevention process?

Anticipate → Recognize → Appraise → Act.

When did modern crime prevention emerge and why?

In the 1960s, as a critique of the justice system’s failure to prevent crime and recidivism.

How is crime prevention proactive compared to the CJS?

It predicts and intervenes before crime occurs, while the CJS reacts afterward.

What kind of control does crime prevention emphasize?

Informal, community-based control.

What are the nine defining traits of crime prevention?

Proactive, risk-based, problem-oriented, evidence-based, partnership-oriented, community-based, focuses on victims/offenders, targets fear/disorder, shifts control beyond the state.

What is the SARA model?

Scan, Analyze, Respond, Assess – used in problem-oriented crime prevention.

Define primary prevention.

Universal strategies addressing broad social or environmental factors.

Define secondary prevention.

Interventions targeting high-risk individuals or groups.

Define tertiary prevention.

Efforts dealing with existing offenders to prevent recidivism.

What are the five pillars of crime prevention?

CPSD, SCP, CCP, Recidivism Prevention, Proactive Policing & CJS Initiatives.

Name three key institutions delivering crime prevention.

Families, schools, and labor markets.

How do families contribute to crime prevention?

Through parenting programs and attachment strengthening.

How do schools contribute to crime prevention?

Via anti-bullying, tutoring, and social-skills programs.

What is the overall goal of crime prevention?

To improve functioning and resilience in individuals and communities.

What is the aim of Situational Crime Prevention (SCP)?

To reduce opportunities for crime in specific contexts.

Which two theories form SCP’s foundation?

Rational Choice Theory (RCT) and Routine Activities Theory (RAT).

According to RAT, crime requires what three elements?

A motivated offender, a suitable target, and absence of a capable guardian.

What happens if one RAT element is removed?

Crime cannot occur.

What does RCT propose about offenders?

They make rational decisions based on risk, effort, and reward.

What are choice-structuring properties?

Risk, effort, reward, skill required, time, and detection likelihood.

Give one SCP example that increases effort.

Stronger locks or vehicle immobilizers.

Give one SCP example that increases risk.

CCTV or street lighting.

Give one SCP example that reduces reward.

Property marking or tracking devices.

Define CPTED.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – designing physical space to influence behavior.

Who developed the first generation of CPTED?

Oscar Newman and C. Ray Jeffery in the 1970s.

What are Newman’s four principles of defensible space?

Territoriality, Natural Surveillance, Image/Maintenance, Milieu.

What did Jeffery add to CPTED?

Behavioral science and psychological factors.

What does territorial reinforcement mean?

Design features encourage ownership and defend space from intrusion.

Define natural surveillance.

Visibility of activities increases guardianship and reduces crime risk.

What is second-generation CPTED focused on?

Social cohesion, community ownership, maintenance, and connectivity.

What are the five SCP technique categories (Clarke 2008)?

Increase effort, increase risk, reduce rewards, reduce provocations, remove excuses.

Give one “reduce provocations” example.

Crowd management or conflict de-escalation.

Give one “remove excuses” example.

Clear signage or moral reminders.

What is crime displacement?

Crime moves to a new location rather than being eliminated.

What is the main critique of SCP?

It addresses symptoms not causes and can lead to inequities or over-securitization.

Who created Crime Pattern Theory?

Brantingham & Brantingham.

Define nodes.

Key activity points like home, work, or recreation sites.

Define paths.

Routes connecting nodes where offenders travel.

Define edges.

Transitional boundaries between different zones.

What are crime generators?

Legitimate high-traffic areas that incidentally create opportunity.

What are crime attractors?

Places known for criminal opportunities (e.g., bars, alleys).

How does Crime Pattern Theory inform prevention?

Direct patrols and CPTED to nodes and paths instead of random areas.

What is CPSD?

Crime Prevention Through Social Development – addresses social, economic, and psychological root causes of crime.

What is the goal of CPSD?

Strengthen protective factors and reduce criminogenic risks.

CPSD targets which groups?

Children, youth, families, and at-risk communities.

From which theoretical roots does CPSD draw?

Positivist etiological theories of criminality.

What does Merton’s Strain Theory contribute to CPSD?

Crime arises from blocked opportunities and inequality.

How does Differential Association (Sutherland) relate to CPSD?

Crime is learned through peers and social contexts.

How does Social Learning Theory (Bandura/Akers) apply?

Behavior is reinforced by observation and reward.

How does Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory apply?

Weak attachment and commitment increase delinquency.

How does Life Course Theory (Sampson & Laub) apply?

Early risk factors persist across life unless interrupted.

Give one example of an early CPSD program.

Perry Preschool Project – improved employment and reduced offending.

What is a family-based CPSD intervention?

Parenting and discipline programs that build attachment.

What is a school-based CPSD intervention?

Anti-bullying and problem-solving training.

What is a community CPSD initiative?

Youth mentorship or neighborhood revitalization projects.

Name a key challenge of CPSD.

High costs and long time before results emerge.

What are two critiques of CPSD?

Diffuse goals and evaluation difficulty.

What is Community Crime Prevention (CCP)?

Collective action by residents to reduce crime and fear through informal control.

What are the two main CCP models?

Community Defense and Community Development.

What is the Community Defense Model?

Direct mobilization to deter offenders (e.g., Neighborhood Watch).

What is the Community Development Model?

Focus on social/economic renewal and empowerment.

What is Comprehensive Community Crime Prevention (CCCP)?

Integration of social, situational, and community approaches.

Define collective efficacy.

Shared willingness to intervene for the common good.

Define social capital.

Networks of trust and reciprocity supporting cooperation.

Define informal social control.

Community members monitor and regulate behavior.

What does “eyes on the street” mean?

Active legitimate use of space increases guardianship.

What are typical CCP mechanisms?

Neighborhood Watch, community policing, beautification, social events.

What is a main critique of CCP participation?

Often dominated by middle-class homeowners.

What is the San Romanoway Revitalization example?

Toronto project combining security redesign and social programs → crime ↓ 50%.

How do CCP and SCP differ?

CCP is collective/social, SCP is environmental/situational.

How do CCP and CPSD differ?

CCP targets community cohesion; CPSD targets individual/family risks.

What is the focus of SCP vs CPSD vs CCP?

SCP – opportunities; CPSD – root causes; CCP – collective action.

At what levels do they operate?

SCP = micro; CPSD = macro/micro; CCP = meso.

What are their theoretical bases?

SCP = RCT/RAT; CPSD = positivist etiological; CCP = social capital/cohesion.

Time horizon for each?

SCP = immediate; CPSD = long-term; CCP = medium/long.

Strength of SCP?

Cost-effective and measurable.

Strength of CPSD?

Addresses root causes and promotes equity.

Strength of CCP?

Empowers citizens and enhances cohesion.

Best integration strategy?

Combine SCP (short-term) + CPSD (long-term) under CCP governance.

Define defensible space.

Design that encourages ownership and surveillance.

Define hot spots.

Micro-locations with high crime concentration.

Define evaluation in crime prevention.

Continuous assessment of impact and cost-benefit.

What is comprehensive prevention?

Integration of SCP, CPSD, and CCP strategies.

Example exam question: How are primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention different?

By scope – universal, targeted, and offender-specific.

Example exam question: How are CPTED and RAT connected?

Both focus on situational convergence and guardianship.

Example exam question: What is collective efficacy’s role in crime reduction?

Strong community trust reduces crime through mutual monitoring.

Example exam question: Compare SCP and CPSD in terms of time and focus.

SCP = short-term situational; CPSD = long-term social.

Why is certainty of detection more effective than severity of punishment?

Because rational offenders respond to perceived risk, not harshness.

What is crime prevention’s main historical shift?

From state-based formal control to community-based informal control.

What does partnership-oriented mean in Schneider’s traits?

Involves cooperation across multiple sectors and agencies.

What does evidence-based mean in crime prevention?

Policies and programs are guided by research evaluation.

What is problem-oriented prevention?

Uses data-driven analysis to tailor interventions to specific problems.

What does risk-based prevention target?

Individuals, groups, or places with highest likelihood of offending or victimization.

What is recidivism prevention?

Programs designed to stop reoffending through rehabilitation.

How does public health typology relate to crime prevention?

It mirrors medical prevention levels—primary, secondary, tertiary.

What is proactive policing?

Early interventions by police to deter potential crime.

What is the relationship between SCP and CPTED?

CPTED provides environmental design tools within SCP’s framework.

How does Routine Activities Theory explain fluctuating crime rates?

Changes in daily routines affect convergence of offenders and targets.