Crack dealers' apprehension avoidance techniques: A case of restrictive deterrence

The present paper explores the techniques used by dealers while engaging in street sales of crack to defy detection, obfuscate illicit activity, and avoid apprehension. These techniques are presented through a three-part typology consisting of environmental positioning, stashing, and transactional mediation. Discussion focuses on restrictive deterrence, a subfield in neoclassical theory to which the present paper gives both theoretical and practical attention. Data are drawn from semistructured interviews with 40 active street-level crack dealers operating in a medium-sized midwestern metropolitan area.

The research on which this article is based was funded by Grant S-3-40453 from the University of Missouri Research Board. Points of view or opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UMRB. The author would like to thank Scott Decker, Mac Klein, Janet Lauritsen, Rick Rabe, Richard Wright, and this journal's anonymous reviewers for their helpful criticisms of earlier versions of this paper.

The research on which this article is based was funded by Grant S-3-40453 from the University of Missouri Research Board. Points of view or opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UMRB. The author would like to thank Scott Decker, Mac Klein, Janet Lauritsen, Rick Rabe, Richard Wright, and this journal's anonymous reviewers for their helpful criticisms of earlier versions of this paper.

Notes

The research on which this article is based was funded by Grant S-3-40453 from the University of Missouri Research Board. Points of view or opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UMRB. The author would like to thank Scott Decker, Mac Klein, Janet Lauritsen, Rick Rabe, Richard Wright, and this journal's anonymous reviewers for their helpful criticisms of earlier versions of this paper.