Threats of suicide or homicide: When an abuser threatens to kill either themselves or others this should be taken seriously. If your partner or spouse threatens suicide or homicide, you should either get professional help for them or get out of the relationship.
Fantasies of homicide or suicide: The more that a batterer has fantasized about who, when, how, and/or when to kill someone or themselves the more likely they are to follow through with the fantasy, especially if they have already act out part of the fantasy.
Weapons: A person that has threatened anyone with a weapon, particularly a handgun, may act on the threat if they have easy access to that weapon at home or other place. Easy access to weapons increases the potential for lethal assaults.
Obsessiveness about a partner or family: A person that is obsessive about either a partner or family member and believes that they cannot live without the object of their obsession is likely to be dangerous. This type of person assumes a possessive role and turns violent.
Pet abuse: A person that kills or harms animals, especially those that belong to a partner or family member are more likely to kill or maim a loved one. This behavior is often a good indication of a lack of respect for life and has been exhibited by serial killers.
Rage: A batterer that believes that a partner or spouse is about to leave them a certain life endangering rage may erupt. This type of behavior is central to understanding the potential for violence in a person.
Situational crime prevention is concerned with strategies to reduce crime opportunity through management and manipulation of the environment (Clarke, 1992). Identify and explain 10 of Clarke's 12 techniques of situational crime prevention. According to Clarke, the twelve techniques of situational crime prevention are target hardening, access control, deflecting offenders, controlling facilitators, entry/exit screening, formal surveillance, surveillance by employees, natural surveillance, target removal, identifying property, removing inducements, and rule setting (Meadows, 2001, p. 197-199).
Target hardening: This reduces the opportunity for crime by placing physical barriers such as locks, safes, and/or steering lock devices to reduce auto thefts. The idea behind target hardening is to deter or slow down the offender. Other examples of this technique are bandit screens, slug rejecter devices, and tamper proof seals.
Access control: Fencing, gated communities, and barriers around property limit the access to the property. Making employees wear identification badges and enter and exit through specific doors limits access at the workplace. Other examples of this technique are parking lot barriers, entry phones, and personal identification numbers (PIN).
Deflecting offenders: This is an attempt to channel inappropriate behavior. Some cities have closed streets known for gang activity with barriers or barricades to deter or deny drive-by shootings and drug dealing. Many entertainment establishments and amusement facilities deny entry to people who are members of gangs or who are not dressed appropriately. Other examples are bus stop placements, tavern locations, and litter bins.
Controlling facilitators: A way of deterring or controlling crime is by regulating the instruments of crime. Controlling guns is one approach. Removing public phones in areas where drug dealers and prostitutes operate or altering phones so that incoming calls cannot be received are efforts done to reduce loitering. Other examples are controlling spray can sales, your photo on your credit cards, and caller ID.
Entry/exit screening: This limits the access and/or exiting of people that do not meet the entrance/exiting requirements. An example of entry screening being used is airports. All passengers must pass through metal detectors. An example of exit screening being used is in stores that have security tags on merchandise. The security tags must be removed or deactivated by the cashier upon purchasing, failure to do so results in an alarm being sounded. Other examples of this technique are boarder searches, baggage screening at the airport, and automatic ticket gates.
Formal surveillance: The main function of this type of situational crime prevention is to deter any potential troublemakers with the presence of police, security personnel, or electronic surveillance equipment. Some examples of this technique are informant hotlines, red light cameras, and curfew decals.
Surveillance by employees: In some places employees also perform surveillance. Sometimes clerks at a store watch for shoplifters or possible troublemakers. Other examples of surveillance by employees are hotel doorman and parking lot attendants. Other examples of this technique are bus conductors, concierges, and incentive schemes.
Natural surveillance: This incorporates improved lighting, eliminating obstructions; such as overgrown foliage, and the use of neighborhood watch programs. Other examples are lighting bank interiors, street lighting, and defensible space.
Target removal: The main idea of this technique is to make a target less desirable to a possible offender. This occurs with requiring the exact change for bus fare and stores not accepting cash amounts higher than a fifty dollar bill. Other examples are removable car radios, phone cards, and payments by check.
Identifying property: When property is marked with a serial number and other identifying marks it makes it easier to reclaim property if it stolen. All motor vehicles that are registered are done so using the vehicle identification number (VIN); this ensures that the vehicle is with the proper owner. Other examples are the LOJACK system, branding cattle, and auto theft tracking devices; similar to OnStar.
Removing inducements: When you remove the temptation from would be offenders there will be no offense. Examples of this are removing graffiti, rapid repair, and plywood highway signs.
Rule setting: Laws prohibiting certain acts and setting rules and regulations to reduce crime. Examples are prohibiting the possession of alcohol in public parks, drug free school zones, and income tax returns.
