The crime triangle: Alcohol, drug use, and vandalism

Abstract

This research illustrates the benefits of the police-researcher partnership in preventing park crime in a suburban community. Parks can attract illegitimate users who engage in criminal activities. The park in this research project gained a reputation as a hot spot for alcohol, drug use, and vandalism. The social use of drugs and alcohol prompted the youthful offenders to target victims and engage in criminal behavior. A questionnaire evaluated the effects of problem-oriented policing intervention and prevention strategies. The general findings suggest that the problem-oriented policing paradigm and related crime prevention strategies reduced the level and fear of crime in this community.

Keywords:

• Community-oriented Policing
• Problem-oriented Policing
• Neighborhood Watch
• Crime Prevention
• Crime Hot Spots