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Criminal Justice Project:Exploring Crimes inA Chosen LocationBy:Tracy KapicakJake BlackmanJulian ZavalaLauren RinardVicky StubishCollege MallSecurity deskAmerican eagletargetLocation:Why:We chose these locationsBecause it is a common area nearCampus where people typicallyUnderestimate the amount ofCrimes typically committed

Research/ObservationMethodsObserved 6 times total

Came up with 8 questions to ask each store/security deskHow often during the day does the store stop a shoplifter? How often is it seen/suspected but not stopped?Are there security cameras? Are they on/constantly monitored?What is your store policy on shoplifters?Whats typical age/race/gender of shoplifters?What items have security censors and which do not? Does this seem to have any effect?What is the average value of stolen items?About how much money is lost per year due to theft?Is employee theft a problem? About how much money is lost per year?

American eagleSurvey answers0-1 shoplifters stopped; 5-6 suspected but not stoppedNo security camerasAEO cannot accuse someone of stealing unless they physically see with their eyes someone taking something to prevent suing; otherwise approach someone suspicious & show you are watching, talk to them a lot, count items in fitting room, code words to say over walkie talkies to alert other employees of suspicious activityCan range from anyone, but most common are young mostly young males/femalesAnything over $20 should have ink sensor; does have effect; mostly smaller items stolenTypically under $20Millions of dollars lost/yearEmployee theft is a national problem

Mall Theft Example:Man steals flat screen from searsCrime FallaciesCops and Courts-security officers spend a large portion of their day completing busywork, not taking out the bad guyInnocent Youth-most crimes, especially theft, occurring in the mall is by adolescents; age has little effect on possibility to commit crimeOrganized Crime-most crimes committed at the mall are impulse crimes, ones that were not planned out before entering the mall itself

Elements of CrimeAccording to the SettingSetting-Large groups of preoccupied people (i.e. chatting, shopping, eating, etc.)-Large, open areasLikely Offender-Many young college students (including young males)Absence of Capable Guardian-Lack of security officers patrolling

Crime PreventionNatural StrategiesMore wide, open spaces lead to easier communication between securityWider, open walkways give less barriers for criminals to conceal their crimes behindEliminate alley entrancesRaise registers above customers to defer direct line of attack

Mechanical StrategiesInvesting in more security camerasMore accurate alarm systems in storesOrganized StrategiesMore hired securityTraining seminars for security to learn more useful tactics

Crime Prevention Cont.Mall StoresMore frequent inventories and auditsRequiring all purchases to be put in a bag and stapledScheduled deliveries in back of storeAlternate hangers on racks so they lock if grabbed