Application of Criminology Theory
The theories that best explain why crimes have increased by more than 50 percent between 10 am, and 3 am are routine activity theory and crime pattern theory. In routine activity theory (RVT) for a crime to occur, three integral elements, namely an offender, a victim, and the absence of a guardian, are required. A guardian can be any individual whose presence may prevent a crime from happening and may not necessarily need to be a police officer. An individual whose presence can likely discourage crime from taking place can be considered a guardian. According to the routine activity theory, targets of a crime can either by a person or an object, whose position in time or space increases the risk of a criminal attack. The primary elements that influence the risk of a criminal attack include value, visibility, and access. Offenders will only attack an individual if they feel they have value; this may be money or personal belongings.
Visibility refers to the exposure of value targets to offenders; for instance, an exposed wallet or expensive jewelry will likely draw a robbers’ attention. Access refers to how a place is set up, for example, narrow and dark alleys provide an excellent opportunity for muggers. Crime pattern theory (CPT) explains the distribution of crime within a region by analyzing rational choices and routine activities. Nodes, paths, and edges are the three main elements of crime pattern theory. Nodes in this context refer to the common areas of place people travel to and from. Places termed as nodes are characterized by high incidences of crime within their surroundings. According to CPT, offenders are usually on the lookout for crime targets around their activity nodes and paths. Additionally, frequented paths are closely linked to high criminal activity. Crime pattern theory also generates crime distribution maps for different hours of the days, relating crime to several factors, including commuter flows and bars closing.
Routine activity theory claims that certain positions in time and space raise the risk of criminal attacks. Robberies are most likely to occur between 10 pm, and 3 am because it presents a perfect point in time. Moreover, between 10 pm and 3 am, most alleys and pathways are deserted with no witnesses to help the victim. Also, the cover of darkness provided between 10 pm and 3 pm means the victims will likely be unable to identify their attacker. Also, since most of the victims reported that they were alone when the attacks occurred, this means that they had no guardian around to offer help. The absence of a capable guardian raises the risk of being attacked. From a crime pattern theory viewpoint, local drinking establishments can be considered nodes since it is a social gathering point. Nodes or areas frequented by locals are commonly linked with criminal activities, especially within their surroundings. Additionally, the high frequency of attacks between 10 pm and 3 am can be linked to most of these drinking establishments closing times. Target vulnerability also plays a huge role in why most of the victims are individuals leaving a drinking establishment. Drunk people are perceived as easy targets by offenders as intoxication reduces awareness.
Routine activity theory offers perspective on how social and economic conditions impact overall crime victimization rates. Criminal activities are usually calculated, and well-planned events and rarely occur spontaneously. As a result, the routine activities that people engage in increase the risk of attack by calculating offenders. According to RVT, crime is a normal phenomenon that is dependent on the opportunities available. For instance, if there are unprotected targets who may offer sufficient gains, then an offender will likely be motivated to commit a crime. From the routine activities theory perspective, crime victimization occurs at different groups based on their social factors. These social factors include gender, community or neighborhood, and unemployment. Routine activities, such as spending a lot of time at out at night and frequently being drunk, raise victimization risk. From this perspective, lifestyle is a critical determinant of the risks involved in victimizations as different lifestyles affect how people are exposed to dangers and situations that increase crime incidence. The more people spend their time in settings conducive to crime, the more likely they may get involved in criminal activities.
Steps that should be taken include educating victims of the dangers of leaving drinking establishments unaccompanied late at night. A critical element for crime to occur is the lack of a capable guardian. Walking in groups may help deter thieves and criminals from attacking and subsequently reduces the level of vulnerability of a potential victim. On the subject of a capable guardian, there is a need to increase patrol officers along streets that surrounding local drinking establishments. These streets act as nodes that are frequented by a broad set of individuals. Providing and raising the number of officers within these streets reduces the risk of attacks as capable guardians. Additionally, the department should order bars and drinking establishments to close their business before 10 pm. Closing businesses early may reduce the time risk that potential victims are exposed to when they leave in the middle of the night. Criminals will likely be less motivated to attack before 10 pm as the risk of identification may be high during the early evening period.