Routine Activity & Trait Theories

The Routine Activity Theory is based on the idea that in the absence of effective controls, offenders will prey on attractive targets (A Theory of Crime Problems, n.d.). In the case of a shopping mall with an underground garage having an increase in auto theft, auto burglary, and robberies, the handlers in the situation could be parents, relatives, friends, siblings, or spouses of the offenders. The targets are the victims of the crime. The guardians are the police and security guards. The place manager controls the behavior of offenders and targets. With crime present, it is obvious the handlers, guardians, and the place manager are either absent, weak, or corrupt.

Effective measures could include adequate lighting in the garage to increase surveillance. Lighting would make it harder for the offenders to hide and sneak up on victims. Another effective measure would be surveillance cameras that...
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