What is the objective of situational crime prevention strategies?

The objective of situational crime prevention strategies is to prevent crimes in specific situations. This approach focuses on reducing opportunities for crime by making it more difficult or less appealing for criminals to commit offenses in particular contexts. This is achieved through various means, such as increasing surveillance, altering the physical environment to eliminate hiding places, using target hardening techniques, and enhancing the presence of guardianship. By addressing situational factors that facilitate criminal behavior, these strategies aim to decrease the likelihood of crime occurring in targeted areas or during specific circumstances, effectively preventing crime at the source.

In contrast, strategies aimed at reducing prison populations focus on broader criminal justice reforms rather than immediate crime prevention. Increasing community outreach centers on building relationships and communication within the community, which does not specifically target crime prevention in specific situations. Rehabilitating offenders is concerned with reforming individuals who have already committed crimes rather than preventing crime before it occurs.