{"id":1039,"date":"2016-09-29T08:31:10","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T13:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/trot\/?p=1039"},"modified":"2016-09-29T08:31:10","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T13:31:10","slug":"problem-oriented-policing-in-an-age-of-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/trot\/2016\/09\/29\/problem-oriented-policing-in-an-age-of-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Problem-Oriented Policing in an Age of Protest"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
Photo by G20 Voice, Flickr CC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In lieu of the recent fatal police shootings in cities such as Tulsa<\/a>, Charlotte<\/a>, and most recently, El Cajon, California<\/a>, communities are coming together to demand changes in law enforcement interactions. Of particular concern is police surveillance and the subsequent criminalization of minor offenses. “Problem-oriented policing” – which focuses on a community\u2019s \u201chot spots\u201d and requires police to be more proactive<\/em> in identifying where crime might happen, as opposed to just reacting<\/em> after a crime takes place –\u00a0has been offered as a possible solution. But does problem-oriented policing actually reduce crime? Social science research helps us sort out the potential benefits and pitfalls to problem-oriented policing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The research record is mixed. Studies evaluating problem-oriented policing programs in Jersey City and Los Angeles showed reductions in serious crimes, such as property crime, robbery, and drug selling, as well nuisance crimes associated with homelessness. Others, however, show no signs of decrease in the number of reported crime rates. Scholars suggest that problem-oriented policing may only have an impact in areas of severe crime and distrust of law enforcement. \u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n