Organized Crime Addressing organized crime typically ... - AWS

Organized Crime Addressing organized crime typically suggests going after the organization and its members. From a situational crime prevention approach, the focus is on the crime or activity, rather than the organization (Bullock et al., 2010). It is possible to look at offenses committed by organized crime groups in the same way as all other crimes. Bullock et al. (2010) note the goal is to “identify pinch-points that will effectively reduce opportunities” and prevent crime. The organization becomes unimportant. One thing that makes situational prevention of organized crimes differ from other offending is the targeting of cross-border crimes, such as prostitution, human smuggling, or drug distribution. Nelen (2010) reports on efforts to address organized prostitution and related crime in red-light districts of Amsterdam. Three separate projects researched and addressed the problems in the districts, identifying actions to increase the efforts, increase the risks, and reduce the rewards. Increasing the efforts involves withdrawing building and business permits, purchasing real estate, denying access to the areas, and instituting screening procedures. Risk is impacted by establishing more guardianship, undertaking risk assessments, and hiring special prosecutors to focus on the problems. Reducing rewards is accomplished by confiscating assets, closing establishments, and applying civil actions to seize property. The programs also reduced provocations by renovating properties and attracting legitimate businesses, while the provision of training and setting new rules in the area removed excuses. Unfortunately, no good assessment of the programs’ impact is available (Nelen, 2010). The value of this information, however, is in demonstrating how situational prevention can be applied to organized crime problems. Cross-border crimes, including drug manufacturing and distribution and human smuggling, have also been subjected to situational crime prevention discussion. Kleemans et al. (2010) note that efforts to successfully address ecstasy production include blocking the availability of necessary substances and limiting the availability of required hardware, as well as securing the cooperation of glassblowers who produce flasks used in production. Interrupting the flow of cocaine is accomplished by screening all passengers and bags entering the country from certain points of origin and body screening everyone traveling from target countries (Kleemans et al., 2010). Finally, efforts to stem human smuggling include enhancing legitimate means of emigration, changing visa regulations, stepping up border checks, and taking action to limit access to the welfare system and employment opportunities for illegal residents. Kleemans et al. (2010) point out that such actions are effective at curbing these offenses.

References Bullock, K., Clarke, R. V., & Tilley, N. (2010). Introduction. In K. Bullock, R. V. Clarke & N. Tilley (Eds.), Situational prevention of organised crimes. Cullompton, UK: Willan (Routledge). Kleemans, E. R., Soudijn, M. R. J., & Weenink, A. W. (2010). Situational crime prevention and cross-border crime. In K. Bullock, R. V. Clarke & N. Tilley (Eds.), Situational prevention of organised crimes. Cullompton, UK: Willan (Routledge). Nelen, H. (2010). Situational organized crime prevention in Amsterdam: The administrative approach. In K. Bullock, R. V. Clarke & N. Tilley (Eds.), Situational prevention of organised crimes. Cullompton, UK: Willan (Routledge).