Problem Solving Model Utilizing the SARA model The

Problem Solving Model Utilizing the SARA model The definition of SARA is; • Scanning • Analysis • Response • Assessment

This is the method utilized in community problem solving. This method looks at the problem from the beginning and works through a series of steps concluding with the assessment phase. By utilizing the SARA model we can methodically work our way through any given problem to arrive at the best course of action, resulting in a favorable resolution.

Scanning Individual officers, units, or the department as a whole examines the jurisdiction for problems. The problems appear as; • High levels of crime • Disorder • Citizen complaints • Large numbers of citizen calls

• Scanning can and should be done with community members. • Community members can offer valuable insight to problems that officers might not be aware of. • Because traditional policing is often focused on crime and control and law enforcement community members may not be aware of the role they can play in solving problems in the community.

Analysis Once a problem, quality of life issue, or hot spot is identified officers need to collect information about it. Basically you must learn the; • Who • What • When • Where • How

Analysis must include all the areas encompassing the problem. Care must be taken to insure that other problems or calls aren’t included.

Response Once the problem is clearly identified an effective response must be constructed. Care must be taken to be sure the cause of the problem is being addressed and not just its symptoms The response may involve police directly or in a referral role or a combination of both.

The response may involve other governmental or social agencies. Engaging citizens and not just enforcement officials, allows you to develop alternatives solutions that can be more effective and will help gain more support for police action.

Assessment • Is the problem reduced or eliminated • Did the problem get displaced to a new location • Has the response created a new problem • If the response didn’t result in an acceptable outcome, then you must go back and reanalyze the problem and create a new response.

• http: //www. cityofnorthlasvegas. com/Depart ments/Police/Community. Services. Division. shtm • http: //www. ci. henderson. nc. us/Police/Defa ult. asp

Memorandum • • • I am sure you've seen this morning's scathing letter to the editor. We haven't had any luck in dealing with the street prostitution problem over the past few months” in fact, it seems the problem is getting worse. At last month's conference of mayors, I heard a lot about problem-oriented policing. I kept hearing about the SARA model and the Problem Analysis Triangle. You were recommended as a good person to apply them to the problem here in Central City. It is important to spend some time analyzing the current situation, which involves asking the right questions. Your analysis should give you an idea of which responses will be most appropriate for Central City. Then you will use those responses to create a plan that gets to the root of the problem. Ideally, I would prefer solutions that are long term and get at the underlying causes of the problem. I do understand that such solutions often demand radical changes and can be costly both in political and financial terms. I also admit that I am a little risk-aversive, especially since there is an election coming soon. M. L. Coleman

Ken Harrison Owner, Crafty Furniture Store, 375 Scott Ave. • “After a long weekend, or a local sporting event, it isn’t uncommon to find used condoms littering the loading dock. Many times people have come in here saying I should call the police because they have seen an unconscious female in the area. We have seen these girls getting beat up or slapped around. • I have even had good customers complain that they have been solicited on their way into the store. I am afraid my best customers are going to stop coming. • And the drugs! Time and time again these women sell themselves on the street, and return a few hours later strung out on something. ”

Owner, Lucky’s Bar, 610 Scott Ave. • “The girls are here most every night. It’s mostly the same women. They seem to know when the bar’s going to be crowded or not. The customers never complain. I think many of them come in just to socialize with the girls. I don’t allow any sex acts in the place. If they want to do that, they have to go outside or in the parking lot out back. ”

Don Karner Owner/manager, Team Sports Bar, 1313 Scott Ave. • “I don’t mind if the girls hang out in my place as long as they look OK and don’t create a disturbance. Many of my customers are college students, and they often hire the girls as entertainment at frat parties. At closing time, many of my customers leave with one of the girls. ”

Frank Bassell Night manager, Mason Engineering, 300 Scott Ave. • “Several times a month employees’ cars are broken into while parked on the back lot. The crime always seems to happen sometime in the early morning hours. Usually cell phones, loose change, music CDs, and portable CD players are taken. If you ask me, it’s mostly because of all the prostitutes in this area. • On two separate occasions I have had to discipline male employees for leaving the building during shift hours and soliciting prostitutes in the parking lot. It's becoming a routine chore to call the police in the early morning hours to report prostitutes hanging around the loading dock. ”

Jane Pride Upper Scott Avenue Business Partner • “I think the rapid development of the upper end of Scott Avenue has attracted a new, younger crowd into the area. The local clubs cater to this crowd, offering special events and drink specials. Most of the club goers are attending the area college or are in that age group. After the bars close, the patrons may venture down Scott Avenue looking for a good time. This increase in potential customers also leads to an increase in prostitutes and related crime. ”

Gary Conway Manager, Peachtree Mall, 200 Central St. • “We cater to middle income families, offering them reasonably-priced goods in a nice atmosphere. We have relatively few problems and enjoy a large consumer base. I did notice an increase in overall mall business within days of the homicide on Scott Avenue. • Some of the store managers overheard customers talking about the murder and how they won’t shop on Scott Avenue anymore. Now they want us to hire private security to patrol the mall. ”

Donna Muzz Manager, Club Elite, 1100 Scott Ave. • “Prostitution? Here? I don't think so. Yes, we have a few girls who come in regularly with dates, but I never saw anything illegal going on. Everyone always dresses and acts appropriately. We’re very careful about that. Of course, I don't know about all the other businesses at this end of town. ”

Mia Becker Owner, Spot-free Drycleaners, 687 Scott Ave. • “Each and everyday I get more afraid to open my store. At least once a week, streetwalkers come into the store wanting to use the restroom or phone. As the area offices close down, I lose more and more business. I have already adjusted the store hours and close early. If something isn't done soon, I, and other shop owners like me, may be forced to go out of business. ”

Mike Snead Manager, Rec Plex, 1401 Scott Ave. • “We’re a sports bar, and we do tons of business with the college kids. Lots of them are looking for a good time, if you know what I mean. But we don’t deal in that kind of thing. I can’t say for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find that many of the guys who start the night out here wind up in the lower end. But I have nothing to do with it. ”

Brad Wyatt Owner, Package Liquor Store, 511 Scott Ave. • “Sure, I’m after my clerks to card every kid that comes in here. I don’t want no trouble. Seems like every weekend there are lots of young kids who come in with their “dates. ” As long as they show valid ID, it’s none of my business. ”

Bill Webster Front desk manager, Secrete Inn, 388 Scott Ave. • “Look, I don't know why you keep harassing me. If it isn’t the Vice Squad down here poking their noses around and scaring business away, then it’s the city building inspector threatening to close this place down. Sure, I rent rooms by the hour. Sometimes these guys come in with the same women that I see again and again. So what? I'm not doing anything illegal. Have you read the local ordinances governing hotel and motel regulations? If you have, then you’d know they aren’t very specific. ”

Betty Street prostitute • “In the past few weeks, I have move to Upper Scott Ave. to turn tricks. But whenever that area gets hot with police, I go down to the drug markets in the lower end. I only do that as a last resort however, because the money is not as good, and the chance of being assaulted is a lot higher. ”

Tammy Faith Convicted street prostitute • “The best places to find a date areas that make it easy for guys driving by to stop and talk without drawing too much attention. These places usually have a hotel or secluded area nearby to give us some privacy. You have to be ready to move to where the action is. When a convention or big sporting event brings lots of guys to town, I move to that area. ”

Amy Convicted street prostitute • “The new bars in the upper blocks of Scott Avenue bring in a younger, more attractive clientele. These potential johns are easy to intimidate and relatively safe. The bars are actually beginning to cater to us, allowing me to stand inside or hang out at the bar. ”

Violet Convicted street prostitute • “Most of the girls who work this area don’t have a pimp. A few may owe money to drug dealers who just want it back. One or two of the girls hang out on the drug set, turning tricks for dope. These girls work for the dope man. Some of the local bars expect some cash for letting you hang out there. They might even let you use the private area of their bar to take care of their customers. ”

Melody Prostitute • “Many of my clients want me to perform sex acts that their normal partners won’t do. With some of the guys, having sex is only half the fun. The real thrill is getting a hooker to do what they want. Most of them aren’t interested in a normal relationship; I don't think they have a real relationship with any woman. But I do have several clients that are family men, many with good jobs. I can always tell these guys; they’re the most fearful of being seen or getting arrested. I’m not sure how they get their hands on drugs, but its OK with me. ”

Jewlee Prostitute • “I prefer oral sex because you can do that in the car, fast and easy. That’s what most of the johns are looking for, anyway. I always make sure they wear a condom. Many times, I will do it while the guy is driving around or parked somewhere. I work six to eight hours a day, five to six days a week. I usually have three to five dates a night. Most guys pay me up front. That way if we’re interrupted, like by the police, I have my money. And I always have an escape route planned just in case the guy starts to get rough. ”