Rising Residential Burglary Cases

Summary of the Problem

Residential burglary refers to when an individual enters a building with the intent to commit a crime within. The offense is usually theft, though it might include other crimes within the ambit of burglary. Currently, the law restricts an individual from entering into any structure, not just a residential home (Tilley, 2014). Residential burglary includes all kinds of buildings or parts of facilities which are located within the boundary of a dwelling and includes the vacant dwellings, dwelling itself, sheds, garages as well as any other structure that meets the building’s definition. Studies indicate those repeat victims of burglary had rapidly increased over the recent years as criminals have exploited the decline in the police response (Grabosky, 1995). Suspect thinks that they can get away with it because police are doing less investigation into the burglary. This is a report of a residential burglary which gives an account of burglary occurrence, provides some community-based proposals on burglary prevention, and discusses some of the perceived community safety proposals.

Case Study A: Residential Burglary

What

Residential burglary is committed when an individual enters a building with the intent to commit a crime within. The case study involves residential burglaries that are taking place in A district. Offenses take place in unoccupied premises. However, there is more crime concentration in ward 8. Therefore, with the increasing cases of crimes, this paper might address how to reduce these increased crime cases.

Who

In most cases, two criminals who have a previous history of conviction for burglary, possession of drugs, and their acquisitive crimes are involved in most burglary cases. However, several other known suspects living in the area are involved. Police are also involved in searching for the offenders and trying to reduce crime incidences. From this case, car owns and residents are significantly affected by the increased crime cases.

When

Burglary cases have increased in these years above the average, especially from December to January. In typical cases, crime cases increased from October to November, and the peak time is often during the late afternoon and late evening.

Where

As revealed, the crimes are taking place in A district. However, most crimes are concentrated in ward 8.

Why

The crime sector is characterized by large numbers of terraced residents, where there are many privately rented houses. The houses are also said to have alleyways at the back, which can be accessed via shared gates. Besides, the region contains many young people of the middle-class residents. Furthermore, there is an increased number of known suspects living near or in the region. Furthermore, there is a crack house located in the residential area which facilitates the crimes. It is also observed that there are two nominal who have prior burglary and drug possession convictions.

How

As revealed, the region's property has alleyways at the back, which is accessed via shared entrances. Therefore, most of the crimes involved entry at the rear entries - back doors.

Community Safety Proposals

There are few ways that households can use to keep a genuinely determined burglar out; there are also several preventive measures that can have a positive impact. In most cases, burglary is unplanned and speculative. However, it is good to understand that some opportunity influences burglars as an inspiration for the offense (Tilley, 2014). The most critical measures against burglars are those steps that minimize opportunity. Some of the measures include; Supplementary security measures. After darkness fall, surveillance and the illusion of a resident's presence should be encouraged. This can be achieved using sensing devices which automatically activate outside lights whenever they sense movement or heat. On a lower sophisticated basis, an individual can also use the family dog as a useful measure curb burglary (Tilley, 2014). Other prevention measures also include personal property marking, which makes resale less anonymous hence more demanding. Also, alarm systems are sophisticated methods of burglary prevention. However, studies indicate that the most effective strategies are those that are visible or those that generate loud noise when activated (Bullock & Tilley, 2012). The use of such devices at points of access may discourage a prospective burglar. The appearance of occupancy. This is another strategy that has been seen as useful in burglary prevention. It involves giving an unoccupied premise of the appearance of being occupied. In a residential building, this involves discontinuing newspaper delivery and postal service, especially when household members are away on holiday (Bullock & Tilley, 2012). Also, automatic lighting can be installed at specific places on the premises, to turn lights on and off in a manner indicating the presence of an individual on the premises. Moreover, during the day, a radio can be left playing to convey the impression that someone is there. Other measures include adequate lighting and trimming of trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders (Bullock & Tilley, 2012). Also, an individual can hire someone who they trust to mower the land around the doorstep.

Making Police responses effective. Studies indicate that burglary cases over recent years have increased due to reluctant police response (Mawby, 2013). Therefore, the community cooperating with the police to organize for police response can be effective in reducing crime. Studies in Australia indicate that the capacity of today’s burglary exceeds the capacity of Australian police services to respond to all cases observed (Grabosky, 1995). This, therefore, reduces the likelihood that burglary cases are solved, offenders are judged, and stolen property recovered. Moreover, massive spending on police surveillance can be very effective in yielding commensurate payoffs in terms of burglary reduction (Mawby, 2013). Besides, the incapacitation of repeat burglary offenders who are arrested can significantly reduce the incidence of burglary. However, just like in other cases, prevention is the most effective way of reducing burglary cases. Furthermore, regardless of many burglaries lying beyond the ability of the police to control, some police strategies can be very useful in reducing crime (Grabosky, 1995). Moreover, increasing “sting” operations can be very effective in reducing crimes in society. Also, police operations can help catch burglars while they are trying to sell stolen property, especially to police undercover. Community empowerment. Today some of the most creative methods of crime prevention are via local community initiatives as well as grassroots participatory platforms for prevention of crime (Mawby, 2013). Therefore, with the local community organizing for grassroots strategies, the crime rate can be reduced. However, community empowerment is not always achievable. Most communities that are characterized by low social cohesion and high residential mobility are the most difficult to mobilize. However, there very many ways of making community strategies work against crime. Some of the strategies include a "top-down" strategy, where solution and prescriptions are bestowed upon the citizenry by leaders other than the "bottom-up approach" (Mawby, 2013). The strategy includes residents working together to describe their shared challenges, determine appropriate solutions, and come up with appropriate goals. In a state, citizens can also come up with local strategies to explore ways of solving problems of disorder in public areas as well as the security of their residence. This might include organizing for safety audits (Grabosky, 1995). However, it is critical to understand that community strategies vary based on the community. Furthermore, it is critical to understand that empowerment does not extend to citizens taking the law into their own hands; rather, the community should cooperate with local and state governments.

Another strategy that a community can initialize is focusing on the high-risk victim. Studies indicate that recent burglary victims are at high risk of subsequent burglary victimization (Madero-Hernandez et al., 2016). A study conducted in Australia indicates that approximately one in four victim-households are burglarized several times yearly. Such vulnerability reflects the ease of access basically the burglar’s familiarity with a premise as well as victim lifestyles. Therefore, some of the measures that can be initialized in this case include upgrading of security after a burglary case. This has been revealed to reduce the likelihood of repeat victimization, and as well, reduce burglary incidence. Some of the strategies in reducing simultaneous burglary has been achieved in the United Kingdom by helping victims immediately after the burglary to install new locks as well as security tools. For instance, a program known as “cocoon neighbourhood watch," which increases special vigilance on the victim’s behalf (Madero-Hernandez et al., 2016). Such community programs that are well designed can assist in reducing victim’s vulnerability to repeat victimization, hence increasing a sense of competence and control.

Appearance of Occupancy

In the modern world, the most common threat to the residential area is home burglary. In most cases, a burglary occurs while individuals are not at home. Therefore, all methods used to prevent home burglary should consider this view. However, being a victim of burglary can make an individual feel vulnerable and violated. Studies have shown that to avoid being a victim of burglary, it is critical to who commits them and why they commit the crime (Mawby, 2013). Besides, regardless of some scholars indicating that burglary occurs during the night (Shover, 2018), studies by Eck & Weisburd (2015), reveal that residential burglaries occur during the day. This is the time when most individuals are away at work or other activities. On the other hand, Bullock & Tilley (2012) reveal that most burglaries are committed by the youth who are under the age of 25 years. Therefore, as per the study, they only look for small and expensive items that can be easily be converted to cash. This study, therefore, seems to explain why most buglers are youth and why small items like small electronic devices and cash are stolen. Moreover, the “Case Study A: Residential Burglary" indicates that, often, jewellery is stolen. Bullock & Tilley (2012), continue to explain that, favourite items are jewellery, cash, and computers are also stolen. Other studies indicate that burglary among the youth is aimed to give quick cash to satisfy their living expenses as well as drug’s needs (Farrington, 2010). The study also indicates that 70% of the burglars utilize some force to enter dwellings though most burglars prefer easy access via an open window or window. However, there is a lot of selection done before a burglary occurs hence not a random occurrence (Snook et al., 2011). However, as per the study, burglars usually select an unoccupied home that has ease of access and with the best escape routes. Therefore, this tries to explain the increase in burglary as per "Case Study A: Residential Burglary," where the properties have alleyways at the back which also have shared entrances. These alleyways and back doors provide an easy entry for the burglars. Regardless of increased burglary cases globally, most burglars avoid encountering residents, which forced them to look for indicators of occupancy (Chun & Lee, 2013). Some of the indicators include exterior lighting left on during the day and interior lighting in closed curtains. However, dogs and alarms and close neighbours can be used to indicate occupancy. Some of the special devices which act as mock occupancy include timers that suggest someone is home. Similarly, to indicate Interior lighting is necessary. Lighting indicates signs of life as well as activity inside a residence. Dark residents reveal to bunglers the absence of life. Studies seem to suggest that, regardless of some indicators helping prevent crime, light timers must be used daily, and not when residents are away. Moreover, exterior lighting is very important. Good lighting allows an individual to see a lurking threat for a distance and make a choice and have an opportunity to avoid it. Good lighting has been revealed to deter criminals since they fear being seen and identified. In matters of lighting, an individual should simply utilize interior light timers to establish an occupancy pattern, utilize good lighting along the pathway to a residence, utilize good exterior lighting, which allows visibility of up to 100 feet. Besides, the light timer used should be sensitive to turn the lights on/off automatically. Lastly, infra-red motion sensor lights can be used at home, which acts as a perfect deterrent of crime and to indicate life in a home (Laycock & Tilley, 2018).

Snook et al., (2011), also reveal that burglars' choice of a specific residence is according to occupancy cues like vehicles present in the parking area and deciding on residence occupancy is the root precursor for burglary. The study also reveals that bunglers cannot break into a house unless they are certain that the occupancy cues are absent. Since buglers prefer unoccupied houses, studies indicate that ninety-three percent of burglars have revealed that they never enter an occupied residence (Snook et al., 2011). Therefore, the presence of occupants results in abortion of burglary plans, thus reducing the burglary victimization risk. This is an indication that to create effective burglary prevention programs, it is very critical to consider how buglers concerning residence occupancy make decisions. From the rational choice theory, offenders are always goal-oriented and usually make rational calculations. These calculations are impacted by factors linked to the situation (Vandeviver et al., 2015). The study suggests that believing that a resident is occupied reduces the chances of successful burglary while suspects are trying to evade apprehension. This theory support appearance of occupancy strategy in the prevention of burglary. Moreover, the theory suggests that criminals also maximize gains while minimizing losses which suggest that, the appearance of occupancy is an ideal strategy for local community safety partnership can be put in place to prevent burglary. Additionally, simple Heuristics by Gigerenzer et al. (1999) seem to clarify the use of the appearance of occupancy. As per the theory, individuals utilize simple heuristics to make various decisions. The heuristics model includes searching for information, stop, and decision making. For example, searching for particular information usually stops when a supporting cue is discovered, and a particular decision is made. Therefore, burglar deciding whether to break into a house or not is based on cues (Snook et al., 2011). For instance, to make a decision, a burglar can decide whether to enter into a house or not based on cue, such as the absence of a vehicle in the parking lot. However, the study also reveals that presented with tow cues such as the absence of a car in a parking lot and exterior lighting; a burglar can search for information concerning the two cues in rank order for reasons and determine occupancy. Once a critical value is discovered in a certain cue, then the search is stopped, and burglars decide that the house is not occupied. However, studies indicate that unrepresentative stimuli might deter buglers from using their natural decision policies (Snook et al., 2011). Therefore, with knowledge from the theory, designing a model that deter burglars is very critical. A representative sample of stimuli in residence can limit burglars’ decisions concerning occupancy. Other studies have revealed that cue weights promote burglars' decisions in the model (Gigerenzer & Gaissmaier, 2011). This is an indication that limiting possible cues can be a very great idea for limiting burglary. Therefore, the idea of occupancy appearance is ideal for reducing burglary.

Community Empowerment

Crime prevention refers to broad programs and initiative which target crime restriction. Crime cannot be prevented by one strategy. Therefore, diverse strategies must be engaged frequently in efforts to prevent crime. This includes international, national, and community-based strategies. Studies reveal that to break the cycle of burglary in towns, communities are engaged (Hughes & Edwards, 2013). An example of a community-based approach to prevent crime is NeighbourhoodStat, which is a joint problem-solving strategy created in New York City. The program empowers individuals who reside in high-crime residents. The strategy advocate working with leaders to strengthen public safety through addressing economic, social as well as environmental conditions which are associated with crime (Waldeck, 2019). The study also reveals that communities are safer when its residents have access to quality education, a job as well as social services. Therefore, NeighbourhoodStat relies on active participation to strengthen public safety. Community-based crime prevention is based on faith in the power of the collective (Ojebode et al., 2016). This is an indication that to be effective, individuals making up the community-based strategy must work together. Studies indicate that community-based crime prevention programs have much greater effects on criminal behaviour compared to law enforcement alone. Through taking a joint action that integrates professionals and insights from every part of the society, there is much able to achieve long term and sustainable solutions (Fraser, 2011). Moreover, since community base programs involve individual mobilizing resources from across the community, each individual in the community has a stake in achieving results. Mover, they feel proud of all efforts they undertake. This is an indication that the choice of community-based program chosen in the prevention of burglary is very effective.

While trying to justify the effectiveness of community-based crime prevention strategies. Ojebode et al., (2016) reveal that the community can organize their resources locally to determine ways of solving problems. This usually includes community consultation on issues of crime as well as organization for safety audits concerning crimes. A community-based program aimed to prevent burglary is revealed to be very effective since it not only prevents crime, but also gives victim assistance, and enable victim-offender reconciliation which is more of restorative justice (Grabosky, 1995). This supports the idea to integrate community-based programs to burglary prevention. Furthermore, a partnership with the community in burglary prevention has been indicated to be a very effective preventive measure. Police (2013), reveals that community partnership with local leaders in crime prevention is critical to making a safe community. The study also indicates that no one agency alone can succeed in crime prevention. Community participation is also revealed to be very critical to burglary prevention since it gives people to decide in all stages of the decision-making process. Through working together and awarding various different responsibilities foster both democracies and also helps in measuring and reviewing its impact against clearly stipulated targets (Police, 2013). Besides, community participation results in the promotion of community solidarity as well as empowerment. There are various types of community participation in burglary prevention. Such measures include passive participation where beneficiaries and the communities are present during discussions, although their presence has no great significance. In this participation, individuals absorb what has been discussed, and this is a great strategy to teach the youth who are the majority in burglary to stop crime. Another participation is where an individual is involved in community discussion and decision-making (Groff & Taniguchi, 2018). The study also indicates that, without community participation, there are obviously no security, no developments, and no program. This support the integration of community-based program in burglary prevention. Social crime prevention has been indicated to have long term advantages. Some of the intervention through early-childhood programs have a positive impact on a child's development and is effective in burglary prevention.

Montesanto et al., (2010) reveal that, when crime interventions on the community-level are combined with intervention from the household/individual level, the overall impact is greater compared to state intervention. For instance, the target hardening of individual homes is more successful when combined with modifications to the neighbourhood. Moreover, Kirkholt Project in the U.K. is a good example of successful community crime prevention, which utilizes multiple approaches. In the project, victimized individuals are assisted in the form of community support. Therefore, already established community strategies are already successful, implementation of a community-based program in A district would be very appropriate.

Conclusion

Residential burglary is when an individual enters a dwelling to commit an offense. Cases of repeat victims of burglary have also been observed to increase rapidly in the past years. Several preventive measures can be applied to prevent crimes. However, before strategizing on measures to prevent crime, it is critical to understand that some opportunity influences burglars as an inspiration for the offense. To solve burglary crimes in society, some of the community safety proposals which can be implemented to reduce crime include; supplementary security measures and appearance of occupancy. Another strategy includes making police responses effective and community empowerment where the community is involved in making their dwelling secure. Another strategy that a community can initialize is focusing on the high-risk victim. As per the appearance of occupancy, some cues encourage or discourage burglary. For instance, lighting indicates signs of life, while darkness reveals the absence of activity hence motivate burglary. However, burglars' choice is explained by rational choice theory, which suggests that offenders are always goal-oriented and usually make analytical calculations. Another theory is the Heuristics model, which clarifies the use of the appearance of occupancy—hence being a good strategy to apply to curb burglary in society. Moreover, looking at community empowerment, there are a lot of strategies which include community participation, partnership, etc. these strategies reduce the chances of burglary.

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References

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