Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –

Situational crime prevention (SCP) is a primary prevention strategy that aims to reduce the likelihood and severity of crime by making it more difficult for criminals to commit acts or by reducing the rewards. SCP focuses on changing the situation rather than the characteristics of criminals.

SCP is based on two theoretical premises: opportunity theory, which states that opportunity makes the thief, and rational choice theory, which states that offenders make choices. SCP techniques can fall into five main categories:

Increasing risk – This can be done by reducing the number of suitable targets, adding guardians, or increasing surveillance.

Reducing rewards – This can be done by making it harder for criminals to climb buildings or structures, or by using anti-theft paint to identify stolen items.

Reducing provocations – This can be done by removing excuses that offenders may use to justify their actions.

Removing excuses – This can be done by sloping seats at bus shelters to prevent people from sleeping on them.

Increasing effort – This can be done by improving street lighting.

SOURCE:

Burton, B., Situational Crime Prevention: An Introduction, LPRC Research Center, 07.24.2024.

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