Criminology: Focused Deterrence Introduction

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Questions and Answers

What does focused deterrence primarily seek to modify?

Legislative crime policies

The development of crime theories

The behavior of high-rate offenders (correct)

Community policing strategies

Which approach contrasts with the traditional model of policing according to the content?

Strict enforcement of law without engagement

Person focused policing interventions

Community-based action and social services (correct)

Arresting and prosecuting all offenders

What has been indicated about programs aimed solely at arresting and prosecuting offenders?

They are effective in reducing crime overall.

They primarily target violent offenders.

They have been shown to be ineffective in controlling crime. (correct)

They have increased community trust in police.

How does focused deterrence aim to address crime in communities?

Through tailored strategies that involve local support and services Signup and view all the answers

What theoretical aspect is emphasized in focused deterrence strategies?

The relevance of police legitimacy and community engagement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of group violence intervention (GVI)?

Addressing violent behavior by gangs and criminal groups Signup and view all the answers

Which focused deterrence strategy addresses violence from overt drug markets?

Drug market intervention Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does focused deterrence emphasize to improve community relations?

Transparency and respectful treatment Signup and view all the answers

What has been a significant factor in the popularity of focused deterrence strategies?

Strong evaluation evidence showing crime reduction benefits Signup and view all the answers

Which organization supports the adoption of focused deterrence strategies?

The National Network for Safe Communities Signup and view all the answers

In addition to the U.S., which country has reported beneficial experiences with focused deterrence strategies?

Scotland Signup and view all the answers

What type of offender does individual offender strategies primarily target?

Chronic serious offenders Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following applications has less empirical evidence behind its effectiveness compared to core strategies?

Applications to intimate partner violence Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of focused deterrence strategies?

They use a highly economical approach to justice resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a core operational variation of focused deterrence?

Community engagement strategies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Focused Deterrence Overview

Focused deterrence, also known as “pulling levers” policing, is a transformative approach in criminology aiming to modify offender behavior.
The strategy is rooted in deterrence theory, focusing on high-rate offenders, while also emphasizing police legitimacy and community engagement.

Ineffectiveness of Traditional Policing

Traditional "person-focused" policing interventions often fail to control crime, relying on arrests and prosecutions of repeat offenders.
Studies indicate that these methods do not effectively reduce criminal activity.

Efficacy of Focused Deterrence

Rigorous evaluations show that focused deterrence strategies blending law enforcement, social services, and community action are effective.
These strategies can improve police-community relationships, especially in marginalized communities, and reduce reliance on mass incarceration.

Operational Framework

Focused deterrence employs an action research model tailored to specific crime problems, leveraging local operational capacities for sanctioning and community support.
The approach stems from a theoretical reframing of deterrence, expanding its application to various crime issues.

Main Variations of Focused Deterrence

Group Violence Intervention (GVI): Targets gang violence and high-crime groups.
Drug Market Intervention (DMI): Focuses on violence linked to drug markets and related disorder.
Individual Offender Strategies: Aims to manage violent behavior exhibited by chronic offenders.

Broader Applications

Beyond its core strategies, focused deterrence has been applied to issues such as intimate partner violence, prison violence, and opioid markets, demonstrating promising results in crime reduction.

Popularity and Support

Focused deterrence strategies have gained traction, with backing from the U.S. Department of Justice through programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) currently engages with 42 U.S. cities in implementing these strategies.

International Influence

International examples from cities like Glasgow, Malmo, and Pelotas suggest the adaptability of focused deterrence in tackling serious violent crime in other Western nations.
Countries in the Middle East and South America are exploring its implementation to address group-related violence.

Key Principles

Focused deterrence could also be described as strategies of fairness and focus, highlighting its commitment to police legitimacy through efficient resource use, accountability, and respectful offender treatment.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of focused deterrence, also known as 'pulling levers' policing, which marks a significant development in criminology and crime prevention. It discusses the theoretical foundations that underpin this approach and its implications for modifying offender behavior, emphasizing police legitimacy and community engagement.