Steven Lab: Crime Prevention, 7th Edition - Case Studies with Questions and Answers

Case Studies with Questions and Answers

Chapter 06: Displacement and Diffusion

Michael Heise is a graduate student living in a mid-sized northeast city. His two bedroom house is all he can afford on his limited budget but it is located in a less dangerous part of the city. Mike leaves for his job (a thirty minute drive one way) every day by 6:30 AM to beat the rush hour traffic and returns promptly at 6:15 each night Monday-Friday. His weekends are usually spent fishing the nearby rivers and streams or catching up on school work. On Tuesday and Thursday of each week he has class at the nearby university from 6:45-9:00 PM.

Mike has had his house broken into or attempted to be broken into 3 times in the first 9 months of residency. His doors are always locked, as are his windows, but burglars have gained entrance during the day, or attempted to gain entrance during the day, all three times through the kitchen window in the rear of the house. The average value of money and property taken from Mike's house totaled $500 and $330 dollars in each of the two successful burglary attempts. Mike lives in a typical residential neighborhood. Ms. Patty, the elderly lady next door, spends most of her time in front of the television making items for her grandchildren, and Mr. Culpepper and Mike, the neighbor to the left, do not speak after a feud over property lines.

Mike needs a solution to his burglary problem and can't afford losing anymore of his property.

Questions

What theory "best" describes Mike's victimization?

Correct Answer

Mr. Heise is clearly a victim of Routine Activities Theory. This theory states there must be a 1) motivated offender 2) suitable target 3) lack of a capable guardian. Mike, through his daily routine of work and class, is allowing the motivated offender, who has gained knowledge of Mike's patterns, easy access to his house (suitable target), through the fact that he is never home, nor do his neighbors care enough to watch his property for him (lack of capable guardian)

What are some precautions Mike can take to prevent this from happening again?

Correct Answer

As a renter, Mike is limited in improvements he can make to the property. For instance, fencing, windows, landscaping, and so forth will require permission from the landlord and permits from the city, money Mike does not have. Cheap and effective methods can be, 1) motion sensors 2) alarms for doors and windows 3) increased target hardening 4) introducing himself to his neighbors and using "access control" and "surveillability" as viable options

Why should Mike's neighbors be concerned about the crime?

Correct Answer

If the criminals are working the neighborhood, it could be assumed that Mr. Heise's target hardening strategy could propel the would-be criminals to find another easier target. Understanding displacement, we could assume once Mike's house becomes an unsuitable target, crime will be displaced to another more suitable target (perhaps Mike's neighbors) in the neighborhood.