Problem-Oriented Policing: Successful Case Studies

by Ronald V. Clarke (Editor)

Overview

Problem-Oriented Policing: Successful Case Studies is the first systematic and rigorous collection of effective problem-oriented policing projects. It includes more than twenty case studies from among the thousands of projects submitted for the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. The volume describes in detail the case studies and explains the wider significance of each for effective, efficient, and equitable policing.

This book explores a wide range of problems that fall under five general categories: gang violence; violence against women; vulnerable people; disorderly places; and theft, robbery, and burglary. The case studies tell stories of how police, in collaboration with others, successfully tackled real-world policing problems fairly and effectively. The authors have also drawn out of the case studies the cross-cutting themes and issues they illustrate. The authors prove that the concept can work, bring to life the context in which police and communities addressed these vexing problems, and, ideally, will inspire future problem-oriented police work that builds on these reported successes.

Written in a clear and direct style, this book will appeal to students and scholars of policing, criminology, and social studies; police practitioners and crime analysts; and all those who are interested in learning more about the reality of police problem-solving.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367900533
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/16/2020
Series:	Crime Science Series
Pages:	326
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Michael Scott is clinical professor at Arizona State University’s School of Criminology & Criminal Justice and director of the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, which produces and disseminates information about how police can effectively and fairly address specific public-safety problems. He was formerly a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School; chief of police in Lauderhill, Florida; special assistant to the chief of the St. Louis, Missouri, Metropolitan Police Department; director of administration of the Fort Pierce, Florida, Police Department; a senior researcher at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in Washington, D.C.; legal assistant to the police commissioner of the New York City Police Department; and a police officer in the Madison, Wisconsin, Police Department. In 1996, he received PERF's Gary P. Hayes Award for innovation and leadership in policing.

Ronald V. Clarke is university professor at the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice and associate director of the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Before coming to the United States, he worked for fifteen years in the British government’s criminological research department, the Home Office Research and Planning Unit. While there, he led the team that originated situational crime prevention and is now considered to be the leading authority on that approach. In 2015, he was awarded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology. His current research focuses on wildlife crimes.

Table of Contents

List of figures xiv

List of tables xvi

List of contributors xvii

1 Introduction Michael S. Scott Ronald V. Clarke 1

Part I Gang violence 13

2 Youth gang gun violence in Boston, Massachusetts Anthony A. Braga 15

3 Gun violence in Cincinnati, Ohio Tamara D. Herold John E. Eck 28

4 Gang violence in Enfield, London Lisa Tompson Kate Bowers 40

5 Gang violence and street disorder in Portland, Oregon Greg Stewart Kris Henning 53

6 Gang violence in Aurora, Illinois Brandon R. Kooi 63

Part II Violence against women 75

7 Domestic violence in High Point, North Carolina David M. Kennedy 77

8 Domestic violence in Chula Vista, California Karin Schmerler Deborah Lamm Weisel Julie Wartell 89

9 Sexual assault of women by illegal-minicab drivers in London Steve Burton Mandy McGregor Gloria Laycock 102

10 Sexual assault of women by illegal-taxicab drivers in Tønsberg, Norway Johannes Knutsson 114

11 Assaults with glasses in bars and clubs in Lancashire, England Ronald V. Clarke 128

Part III Vulnerable people 137

12 Accidental drownings of migrant labourers in Morecambe Bay, England Nick Tilley 139

13 Traffic injuries and fatalities in farm-labor vehicles in California Gary Cordner 148

14 Repeat callers to police in Lancashire, England Stuart Kirby 158

15 Opioid abuse in Reno, Nevada Emmanuel Barthe Deena DeVore Stacy Ward 168

Part IV Disorderly places 179

16 Disorderly day laborers in Glendale, California Rob T. Guerette 181

17 Crime and disorder at a budget motel in Oakland, California Ronald V. Clarke 191

18 Crime and disorder at budget motels in Chula Vista, California Gisela Bichler Karin Schmerler 201

19 Disorderly homeless encampments in Eureka, California Sharon Chamard 214

20 Crime and disorder in a residential neighborhood in Austin, Texas Marcus Felson 223

Part V Theft, robbery and burglary 233

21 Robberies of convenience stores in Houston, Texas Nancy G. La Vigne Nkechi Erondu 235

22 Construction-site theft and burglary in Port St. Lucie, Florida Rachel B. Santos Roberto G. Santos 245

23 Burglary of storage units in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina Joseph B. Kuhns 256

24 Auto theft in Winnipeg, Manitoba Rick Linden 266

Part VI Reflections 279

25 Problem-oriented public safety David M. Kennedy 281

Index: Prepared Mangai Natarajan 297

Editorial Reviews

‘Mike Scott and Ron Clarke have made an important contribution to the literature on problem-oriented policing by bringing together successful case studies and making them available to the field. These case studies are an excellent way to share successful ideas with police officers who are always looking for solutions to the persistent problems they encounter in their work. They also reinforce a thoughtful process for identifying, understanding and responding to problems.’

Darrel W. Stephens, Chief of Police (Ret.), Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina), St. Petersburg (Florida) and Newport News (Virginia), and former Executive Director, Police Executive Research Forum and Major Cities Chiefs Association

‘This book is an indispensable resource from masters of the field, showing generations of police yet to come how they can do problem-oriented policing with insight, imagination and precision.’

Lawrence Sherman, Professor of Criminology, University of Cambridge

‘Sir Robert Peel fathered the first professional police force in 1829, stressing that "the basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder." This book provides inspirational worked examples of how to do that. Sir Robert would have loved it.’

Ken Pease, Professor of Policing, University of Derby

‘This book will prove invaluable because Ron, Mike and the authors of the case studies have re-visited the initiatives, sometimes decades later. This is the acid test of problem orientation. Some chapters reveal resilient and resounding results, others more ephemeral success. However, the analysis and insights of success or ultimate failure allow the reader to learn and hopefully deliver a policing service focused on prevention and wisdom.

Michael Barton, Chief Constable (Ret.), Durham Constabulary and Visiting Professor, Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London

‘Mike Scott and Ron Clarke have made an important contribution to the literature on problem-oriented policing by bringing together successful case studies and making them available to the field. These case studies are an excellent way to share successful ideas with police officers who are always looking for solutions to the persistent problems they encounter in their work. They also reinforce a thoughtful process for identifying, understanding and responding to problems.’

Darrel W. Stephens, chief of police (Ret.), Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina), St. Petersburg (Florida) and Newport News (Virginia), and former executive director, Police Executive Research Forum and Major Cities Chiefs Association

‘This book is an indispensable resource from masters of the field, showing generations of police yet to come how they can do problem-oriented policing with insight, imagination and precision.’

Lawrence Sherman, professor of criminology, University of Cambridge

‘Sir Robert Peel fathered the first professional police force in 1829, stressing that "the basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder." This book provides inspirational worked examples of how to do that. Sir Robert would have loved it.’

Ken Pease, professor of policing, University of Derby

‘This book will prove invaluable because Ron, Mike and the authors of the case studies have re-visited the initiatives, sometimes decades later. This is the acid test of problem orientation. Some chapters reveal resilient and resounding results, others more ephemeral success. However, the analysis and insights of success or ultimate failure allow the reader to learn and hopefully deliver a policing service focused on prevention and wisdom.

Michael Barton, chief constable (Ret.), Durham Constabulary and visiting professor, Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London

From the Publisher