Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which category of motor vehicle theft involves taking a vehicle for a short duration without the intention of permanent theft?
Which category of motor vehicle theft involves taking a vehicle for a short duration without the intention of permanent theft?
What is the misconception about car theft rates in Canada compared to the U.S.?
What is the misconception about car theft rates in Canada compared to the U.S.?
Which of the following strategies is NOT used to combat motor vehicle theft?
Which of the following strategies is NOT used to combat motor vehicle theft?
Which statement best describes false pretences?
Which statement best describes false pretences?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines a confidence game?
What defines a confidence game?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of theft is primarily driven by the intention to sell parts from a stolen vehicle?
Which type of theft is primarily driven by the intention to sell parts from a stolen vehicle?
Signup and view all the answers
What is NOT a characteristic of fraud?
What is NOT a characteristic of fraud?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes one of the main reasons vehicles are stolen?
Which of the following best describes one of the main reasons vehicles are stolen?
Signup and view all the answers
What term is used to describe professional shoplifters who steal and resell stolen goods?
What term is used to describe professional shoplifters who steal and resell stolen goods?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about amateur shoplifters, known as snitches, is true?
Which of the following statements about amateur shoplifters, known as snitches, is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What strategy do retailers use that involves displaying fake or disabled goods to reduce theft?
What strategy do retailers use that involves displaying fake or disabled goods to reduce theft?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a common consequence faced by shoplifters upon being apprehended?
Which of the following is a common consequence faced by shoplifters upon being apprehended?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the legal definition of motor vehicle theft as stated in the Criminal Code?
What is the legal definition of motor vehicle theft as stated in the Criminal Code?
Signup and view all the answers
How prevalent is car theft in Canada according to the statistics mentioned?
How prevalent is car theft in Canada according to the statistics mentioned?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group most often commits internet credit card theft?
Which group most often commits internet credit card theft?
Signup and view all the answers
Under the Criminal Code, which of the following actions constitutes a criminal offense regarding credit cards?
Under the Criminal Code, which of the following actions constitutes a criminal offense regarding credit cards?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes occasional criminals?
What characterizes occasional criminals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of crime is most likely committed by amateurs?
Which type of crime is most likely committed by amateurs?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines professional criminals compared to occasional criminals?
What defines professional criminals compared to occasional criminals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common factor that influences occasional criminals to commit theft?
What is a common factor that influences occasional criminals to commit theft?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following acts represents a common behavior of professional criminals?
Which of the following acts represents a common behavior of professional criminals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which strategy is typically NOT associated with amateur shoplifting?
Which strategy is typically NOT associated with amateur shoplifting?
Signup and view all the answers
In legal terms, which definition best describes theft?
In legal terms, which definition best describes theft?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of occasional thieves?
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of occasional thieves?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Property Crimes Overview
- Property crimes are designed to bring financial reward to the criminal.
- They are often committed by amateurs who make spontaneous decisions.
- Millions of thefts occur yearly, many go unreported.
- Occasional criminals do not define themselves as criminals.
- These acts are often unskilled and haphazard with a spontaneous decision to steal.
- Many of these crimes are committed by school-age youth.
- Occasional crimes happen when there's a sufficient situational inducement.
- These inducements can be psychological factors or social factors.
- Occasional criminals may deny criminal activity and see their acts as "out of character."
- They are most likely to respond to law's general deterrent effect.
- Crimes are often spontaneous and opportunistic, rationalizing the acts.
Types of Property Crimes
-
Theft: One of the earliest crimes defined by English judges.
- Common law defines theft as the trespassory taking and carrying away of another person's property with intent to steal.
- Includes shoplifting, passing bad checks, and other theft offences without force or threats.
- Criminal Code categorizes theft under $5000 as a hybrid offence that the Crown can proceed with as a summary offence (6 months jail or $2,000 fine) or an indictable offence (maximum sentence of 2 years in jail).
- Theft over $5000 is considered an indictable offence with a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
- Theft involves various types, from small items (often unreported) to complex, multi-person plans. Identity theft is a rapidly-growing area.
-
Shoplifting: An extremely common form of theft.
- Shoplifters often snatch goods when retail clerks are occupied, hiding them on their person.
- Consumers consequently pay more for items due to retail theft losses.
- Businesses with minimal staff and highly visible merchandise attract both shoppers and thieves.
- Professional shoplifters ("boosters") resell items for half their original value.
- The majority of shoplifters are amateur criminals ("snitch"), stealing for personal use. Shoplifters are mostly likely to reform if caught. Apprehension might have the opposite effect.
- Store detection rates are low (about 10%). Customers may see theft but are unwilling to report. Owners and employees can detain possible shoplifters based on reasonable grounds.
- Retailers use strategies including fake/disabled goods and electronic tags to deter shoplifting.
-
Credit Card Theft: Most incidents involve amateur criminals. Professional credit card rings exist.
- Stealing, forging, or falsifying credit cards is illegal, as is using a revoked or cancelled card.
- Bogus Internet sites are used to trick people into using their credit card information.
- Technology is being developed to battle these types of crimes.
-
Motor Vehicle Theft: Defined in the Criminal Code as taking a vehicle without consent. Canada ranks high in industrialized countries for car theft. Insurance requirements prompt reporting, yet 40% of stolen vehicles are never recovered. Theft is often separated into different categories including joyriding, short-term/long-term transportation or for profit.
- Methods to combat theft include increasing the risk of apprehension with hotlines. The IMPACT strategy uses "bait cars" to remind people to lock vehicles and improve security strategies in parking facilities with cameras and barriers. Manufacturers incorporate security measures into the vehicles such as steering-column locking devices.
-
False Pretences/Fraud: Deliberate misrepresentation of facts or deceit (falsehood). Victims willingly give possessions or money.
- Fraud is a broader offence than using false pretences: using deceit to obtain money is fraud. Get-rich-quick schemes, and win-a-trip scams are examples of fraud.
- Confidence Games: Schemes involve getting-rich-quick techniques with illegal overtones, which frighten embarrassed victims and prevent them from calling the police. Modern, high-tech scams, such as corrupt telemarketers preying on the elderly and Nigerian letter scams, exemplify confidence games.
-
Embezzlement/Breach of Trust: Taking and keeping entrusted property (clients or employers). This is also called a breach of trust, and is a crime covered under Criminal Code section 336, with a 14-year maximum jail sentence.
- Examples include collecting funds (from raffles, etc.) and using them for one's own use. Relatively few people are arrested for embezzlement.
- Burglary/Break and Enter: Defined in common law as the night-time breaking and entering of a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. Recent Canadian laws require no forced entry, with successful burglary involving deceit, threat or conspiracy to access a secure location. Committing a crime inside a building or breaking out following committing a crime or attempting to commit a crime are also considered burglary. Motives for break-ins include needs for cash, obtaining substances, unskilled/uneducated individuals committing crimes due to few legitimate opportunities. Commercial properties are preferred targets over residential dwellings. There are 3 primary categories of break and enter. Repeat victimization by burglars is common and linked to several reasons, including familiarity with the layout
-
Arson: Intentional or reckless damage by fire or explosion to property.
- This includes damage to one's own property and bodily harm, arson, possession of incendiary devices, negligence, or fraudulent burning of property.
- 45% of those charged with arson are youth (aged 12-17), and 85% of offenders are male. Motivation for arson can include disturbed personality, sexual pleasure, anger, revenge, making profit through insurance fraud, or an attempt to escape from financial problems or to conceal another crime
Methods of Preventing Property Crimes
- Property owners should not display valuables openly, use blinds/curtains, and stop mail/newspaper deliveries while away from home. Keep doors and vehicles locked.
- Home security measures include deadbolts, safety deposit boxes, identifying property, and potentially acquiring a dog.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the nature of property crimes, defining them and discussing their characteristics. Understand how and why these crimes are often committed by amateurs, focusing on psychological and social factors that contribute to such behavior. Learn about the types of property crimes, primarily theft, and the motivations behind these spontaneous acts.
