Introduction
Crimes are generally created by the interactions of a potential target and a potential offender, in a setting were committing a crime is relatively safe, profitable and easy. Anyone is capable of committing a crime. However, environmental factors can influence an individual’s desire to commit a crime. For example, if the cost of committing a crime is zero and the benefit is substantial, an individual may be more inclined to commit a crime. The following assess different environmental theories in regards to criminology and how they impact the crime prevention.
Discussion
The branch of criminology is often referred to as environmental criminology or ecological because it analyzes how individuals commit crimes in relation to their environment. For example, an offender is more likely to commit a crime when the setting is relatively safe and profitable for the individual. Due to the environment, the individual is more or less likely to commit a crime. In other words, an individual is more likely to commit a crime when they perceive the benefit as significantly outweighing the cost of the crime (Farrell & Hodgkinson, 2015, p. 246). This idea is called utility maximization. This is when an individual makes a choice based on what the individual perceives will give them the greatest reward with the lowest cost. Limited rationality, on the other hand, refers to an individual’s lack of information in order to properly assess the benefits and costs of the situation. For example, impulsivity is an example of limited rationality (p. 247). By following an impulse, an individual is not given enough time in order to properly assess the cost and benefits of the crime.
Relationships
Routine activity theory
The routine activity approach specifics three elements of crime: the offender, the target, and the absence of a capable guardian who is against crime. Also, the routine activity approach considers how life assembles these three elements of crime based on time and space. Lastly, the routine activity theory states that modern society invites high crime rates throughout society by offering a significant level of illegal opportunities for individuals (Felson, 1987, p. 911). In other words, routine activity theory shows that the increase in crime is directly connected to the society by making the society better off because of the crime.
Environmental criminology
Environmental criminology is a term created by C. Ray Jeffrey. The idea behind environmental criminology is that the environment is a key area of interest when it comes to why and how crime occurs. This theory believes that environmental factors are at play with how and why a crime occurs. In other words, the environment either allows or does not allow an offender to commit a crime. For example, extra security, fences, gates, and increased surveillance, are all environmental factors that could decrease the likelihood of a crime being conducted (Cancino, Varano & Schafer, 2008, p. 69). For example, a business that utilizes outside surveillance cameras is less likely to get robbed than a business that does not. This is due to the environmental differences between the two businesses.
Situational crime prevention
Situational crime prevention aims to alter the benefits and costs that are associated with crime choices. This theory does this by designing crime out of systems, products and the environment. By altering the environment, an individual can prevent the risk of crime they may experience (Farrell & Hodgkinson, 2015, p. 256). Situational crime prevention states that there are five categories when it comes to preventing crimes. These categories are: 1) increasing the effort that an individual needs to commit a crime, 2) increase the amount of risk that is associated with the crime, 3) reduce the rewards that come along with crime, 4) reduce provocation, and 5) remove any excuses for the crime (p. 256). For example, increasing the amount of red light cameras, burglar alarms, and security guards are all ways to increase the risk associated with committing a particular crime. By increasing the amount of security, a potential offender will be less likely to commit a crime. This is due to the fact that the increased amount of security increases the cost of the crime. If the likelihood of an individual getting caught goes up, then the likelihood of the individual committing the crime goes down (Farrell & Hodgkinson, 2015, p. 257).
Crime prevention through environmental design
Environmental design also has ways of preventing offenders from committing crimes. For example, fences and bushes can be designed in a way to discourage crime. This is a way of altering private property in order to create formal and natural surveillance (Farrell & Hodgkinson, 2015, p. 259). The strategies behind crime prevention through environmental design rely on the ability to alter an offender’s decision to participate in a criminal activity (Jeffery, 1990, p. 5). The idea of the theory is based on the theory that proper design and effective use of an environment can help when it comes to reduction of crime, reduction of fear of crime, and improving the quality of life for members of a community. Implementing protection into the environment can create crime prevention. In other words, an individual can manipulate the environment in order to discourage others from committing crimes. The most common environment strategies that are used are: natural access to control, natural surveillance, and natural territorial reinforcement (p. 5). All of the above theories assess crime in terms of environmental factors or settings. They all state that an individual is more likely to commit a crime when the risk is low. They also hint at different environment aspects that could be changed in order to decrease the risk of crime. Thus, these theories not only offer explanation in regards to crime, it also offers preventative measures in order to prevent crime.
Usefulness
This branch of criminology is very useful when it comes to explaining where, when, how, and why a crime occurs. According to this branch of criminology, crimes happen when the cost of the crime is less than the benefit of the crime. These are places with low surveillance or little security. Similarly, an individual will commit a crime when the cost of the crime is lower than the benefit. Lastly, all of these theories give reasoning behind why crimes occur. It is believed that crime occurs because society benefits from the crime. It also states that crime occurs when the benefit for the individual is larger than the cost of its repercussions (Cozens, 2011, p. 481). This branch is also useful when it comes to proposing crime prevention strategies. Due to the nature of the branch of criminology, the theory is used to discover why people commit certain crimes. For example, analyzing what types of goods are more typically involved in thefts allows individuals to create better protection when dealing with those items. For example, finished goods are more likely to become stolen than raw materials. Factories which produce those finished goods suffer fewer thefts with their raw materials than with their finished product. This allows an individual to see where they should take safety precautions (Felson, 2987, p. 913).
It is also important to remember that certain demographics and socio-economic statuses that create fear do not necessarily relate to risk of victimization. For example, the elderly are commonly known for their fear of victimization. However, statistics prove that the elderly is actually at a lower risk of actual victimization. This is an example of when fear does not necessarily represent the actual risk. Teenagers are the opposite; they run low levels of fear in regards to crime while they right the highest risk when it comes to victimization. Teenagers are mostly likely to perceive low fear of crime when actually they are at the highest rick when it comes to victimization. In other words, fear of crime does not necessarily mean an individual is at an increased or decreased risk for being a victim of a crime (Brantingham & Brantingham, p. 6).
Conclusion
Overall, the idea behind this branch of criminology is based on the idea of opportunity. The fewer opportunities that a criminal has, the fewer crimes that individual will commit. This is the main aspect behind environmental criminology; how the environment dictates whether or not an individual will commit a crime. All of the above theories analyze crime in relation to the environment. They all agree that changing or altering the environment could lead to a decrease in crime. By increasing the amount of security precautions an organization or an individual takes, the likelihood of an offender committing a crime decreases. This is due to the fact that increased security means an increase in the cost to commit the crime. In other words, increased security measures means that a criminal is at an increased risk for getting caught. These theories also help individuals partake in preventive actions in order to protect themselves from crime. These preventive actions also decrease the amount of crime that is exerted in a particular area. Overall, by analyzing environmental factors that influence an offender’s likelihood of committing a crime, members of a community can take preventive measures in order to decrease the likelihood they will be victimized.
References
Brantingham, P. & Brantinham, P. (n.d.). Criminality of place: crime generators and crime attractors. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 3(3), 5-26.
Cancino. J., Varano, S. & Schafer, J. (2008). An ecological assessment of property and violent crime rates across a Latino urban landscape: the role of social disorganization and instructional Anomie Theory. Western Criminology Review, 8(1), 69-87.
Cartwright, B. (2015). Environmental criminology, routine activity, and situational crime prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.emond.ca/LMS/Criminology_101/Tutorial%201CRIM%20101.htmlCozens, P. (2011). Urban planning and environmental criminology: towards a new perspective of safer cities. Planning Practice & Research, 26(4), 481-508.
Farrell, G. & Hodgkinson, T. (2015). Crime choice theory. In N. Boyd (Ed.), Understanding crime in Canada: An introduction to criminology (243-267). Toronto: Emond Montgomery Publications.
Felson, M. (1987). Routine activities and crime prevention in the developing metropolis. Criminology, 25(4), 911-933.
Jeffrey, C.R. (1990). Crime prevention through environmental design. Retrieved on 14 March 2016, from http://www.springsgov.com/Files/CPTED.pdf
