Routine Activities Theory Explaining Crime Patterns Increase in

Explaining Crime Patterns • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 • Lower crime rates

Routine Activities Theory • A theory of victimization – Direct contact predatory violations: Someone

Three Necessary Conditions for Crime • Motivated offender • Suitable target • Lack of

Large Scale Changes Explained • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 – Proliferation of

Target Suitability Motor vehicles and parts Electronic appliances Large, durable goods Furniture Amount stolen

Guardianship Burglary/Robbery Rates (per 1, 000) Number in Household Age Two +. 095. 079

Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theory • Analytic Focus – Routine activities takes a

Theoretical Implications • Crime rates may change without changes in the social conditions that

Policy Implications • Increase surveillance (guardianship) • Decrease target attractiveness (suitability) • Consider the

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Routine Activities Theory

Explaining Crime Patterns • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 • Lower crime rates in the 1990 s • Higher levels of crime at night • Lowest victimization risk for elderly

Routine Activities Theory • A theory of victimization – Direct contact predatory violations: Someone intentionally takes or damages the person or property of another • Illegal activities feed off of legal activities – Location, type, timing, and quantity of crime – Technology affects crime targets (value, size, weight) – Community organization affects guardianship

Three Necessary Conditions for Crime • Motivated offender • Suitable target • Lack of capable guardianship

Large Scale Changes Explained • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 – Proliferation of light weight consumer goods – Dispersion of activity away from home • Lower crime rates in the 1990 s – Shift toward electronic money • Crime peaks at night – Guardianship is low • Lower risk for elderly – In fewer risky situations

Target Suitability Motor vehicles and parts Electronic appliances Large, durable goods Furniture Amount stolen per $100 spent $26. 44 $6. 82 $0. 08 $0. 12 Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979

Guardianship Burglary/Robbery Rates (per 1, 000) Number in Household Age Two +. 095. 079 Ratio 18 -35 36 -55 One. 20. 161 56 + . 107 . 01 1. 76 All Ages . 144 . 081 1. 78 2. 11 2. 04 Also, proportion of households unattended has increased over time Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979

Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theory • Analytic Focus – Routine activities takes a macro-level view • Spans space and time • Emphasizes victim behavior/decisions – Rational choice takes a situational view • Focuses on specific crime events • Emphasizes offender behavior/decisions • Complimentary Perspectives

Theoretical Implications • Crime rates may change without changes in the social conditions that motivate crime

Policy Implications • Increase surveillance (guardianship) • Decrease target attractiveness (suitability) • Consider the criminogenic effects of changes in routine activities • Others?