Research Problem
In the recent past, a majority of researchers have argued that the actions of police should be more concentrated on the potential areas of crime rather than thinly spreading it across the urban landscape. Scholars have found out that there is a significant reduction when the police officers concentrate their efforts on the defiant places. There is, therefore, need to examine the present evaluation evidence on the effects of consolidating police efforts of enforcement on the crime hotspots. Further, there is need to determine whether the actions of police at particular locations results in the displacement of crimes or a crime control benefit diffusion.
Impact and Interventions of the Problem
There are noteworthy impacts on the hotspot policing on crime. Braga, Papachristos and Hureau (2014) noted that a continued and regular presence of police at hotspots can possess a lasting impact on crime and disorder. A police presence hugely suppressed criminal activities in the area of operation. Police officers remaining at a particular hotspot for long indicated a diminishing return on the criminals that could be noticed in such potential regions. Focused interventions of police, for instance, proactive arrests, directed patrols and problem-oriented policing led to a significant reduction of crimes in hotspot regions.
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Lots of interventions could be utilized to ensure crime prevention. A problem-oriented policing response that focuses on motel owners and operators permit ordinance and code enforcement to raise pressure on the uncooperative operators of motels. A focus on violent crime hotspots results in reduction property and violent crime; and other disorderly activities incorporating the sale of illegal drugs. Arguably, Braga, Papachristos and Hureau (2014) mentioned that a safe street group problem-oriented policing assists in reducing violent index crimes at the treatment hotspots relative to the comparison regions. Specific blocks that got extra protection from police realized decreased car thefts significantly as compared to the neighborhoods. Known drug corners were surrounded by high police officers led to reduced crime frequencies in such lethal areas. Another intervention is the use of license plate readers that are mounted on patrol vehicles in auto theft regions and not associated with declinations in auto crime in the jurisdictions.
Hotspots can, therefore, be addressed by the use of separate types of interventions. There is no necessary relationship between hotspot identification and aggressive tactics usage. Alternatives need to consider: for example, problem-oriented policing and community policing solutions can be considered in regions with a specific problem concentration. Nonetheless, Braga, Papachristos and Hureau (2014) revealed that intensive police patrols in the hotspot regions delivered short term; though unsustainable crime reductions. The impact of problem-solving techniques of crime had a long-lasting effect on the decrease in crime. It is also realized that an improved street lighting has a considerable impact on the degree of crime and disorder. Nagin, Solow and Lum (2015) mentioned that an enhanced state of street lighting and advancement in a region can have a remarkable effect on crime-prone areas.
Why the Study is Necessary
The study is critical in helping identify the crime hotspots and policing strategies. The primary emphasis is on smaller geographical regions especially in urban settings in which there is a great concentration of crimes. Through the approach of hotspot policing, the officers in charge of law enforcement can quickly focus on a limited region thus utilize limited resources in areas that are highly prone to crime (Nagin, Solow & Lum, 2015). The study is also necessary for identifying and defining hotspots of crime through mapping and target analysis.
Section II: OBJECTIVES
Research Intention
The research will help in synthesizing the existing non-published and published evidence on the impacts of focused on prevention of crime by police in high-end crime points. It is also going to provide a systematic assessment of the preventive contribution of fixated actions of police at particular locations to displace crime or in the diffusion of crime control benefits. The research is deemed at understanding the concept of hotspot policing and its relationship to crime reduction. The study will be resourceful in assisting the police in identifying crime hot spots. When the hot spots have been identified, it is easier to come up with the most appropriate policing intervention (Nagin, Solow & Lum, 2015). That will therefore efficiently in combating crime at those hot spots. Dealing with crime requires strategy, and that needs to be thoroughly worked. Most current criminals are techno-based and that a proper counter-strategy to efficiently combat them. The study discusses the various technological mapping techniques that can adequately reduce the crime rates (Nagin, Solow & Lum, 2015).
Explicit Questions to be addressed by a Systematic Review
The topic of discussion is of profound benefit. Some of the precise questions that need to be discussed in the systematic review include; what is a hotspot? How do we identify a hotspot? What are the impacts of hotspot policing on the crime prevention by the security officials especially the police? In what ways do hotspot policing affect the general populace? What are the interventions in hotspot patrolling with a view of crime prevention? Is there any evidence of hotspot policing? The questions, when adequately addressed, will serve to give the correct position with regards to the topic of study. Crime needs to be combated efficiently through the proper organs and in the most efficient manner (Weisburd, Braga, Groff & Wooditch, 2017). Modest use of hotspot policing can profoundly reduce crime rates. That will, therefore, create a sane and secure society.
References
Braga, A. A., Papachristos, A. V., & Hureau, D. M. (2014). The effects of hot spots policing on crime: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Justice quarterly , 31 (4), 633-663.
Weisburd, D., Braga, A. A., Groff, E. R., & Wooditch, A. (2017). CAN HOT SPOTS POLICING REDUCE CRIME IN URBAN AREAS? AN AGENT ‐ BASED SIMULATION. Criminology , 55 (1), 137-173.
Nagin, D. S., Solow, R. M., & Lum, C. (2015). Deterrence, criminal opportunities, and police. Criminology , 53 (1), 74-100.
