Pros and Cons of “Hot Spots” Policing

PROS AND CONS OF “HOT SPOTS POLICING” Pros and Cons of “Hot Spots” Policing literature review Student Name Institution Course Name Due date 1 PROS AND CONS OF "HOTSPOTS POLICING" 2 Introduction "Hot Spots" Policing comprises making movements and using methods that involve focusing resources and activities on those parts of the city with the highest crime incidence. The main idea behind this method is that disorder and criminal activity tend to congregate in certain pockets rather than being spread out uniformly throughout a whole neighborhood. This study will illuminate what previous research has been done on the topic and the benefits and drawbacks linked with it[CITATION Bra19 \p 289 \l 1033 ]. Policing literature review Hot spot policing was brought into existence by Sherman and Weisburd in the year 1995. Scholars reveal that they conducted a randomized and controlled experiment in Minneapolis. It was done to assess how an increase in police presence affected the number of calls for services and the number of increased incidents of crime. In prior years, researchers and practitioners in the field have pointed out the possible benefits of concentrating police crime prevention efforts in high-crime regions[CITATION Mit19 \p 161 \l 1033 ]. Researchers have hypothesized a significant concentration of criminal activity in places called "hot spots." According to some researchers, the problems caused by illegal activity may be reduced more effectively if law enforcement personnel direct their attention to the locations frequented by criminals. Bittner (1970:45) demonstrates that the process of policing is intrinsically biased since police officers are tasked with differentiating suspects from the general population. There are certain officers in the forces who are viewed as not accurate, although there are police officers that are both ethical and unbiased in working for the staff. These officers have a propensity to engage in corrupt behavior while on the job, and as a result, they end up exhibiting discriminatory and prejudiced behaviors toward minority groups. It is because racial profiling is seen as a practice of "Hot spot PROS AND CONS OF "HOTSPOTS POLICING" 3 policing," in which officers concentrate their efforts and time on areas with a high rate of criminal activity[CITATION Hur19 \p 1 \l 1033 ]. Law enforcement in “Hot spot” perspective According to the findings of the tactical crime reveals, a "Hot spot" is a specific location, region, or even a tiny area in which an unusual number and degree of criminal activity occurs. These crimes are often perpetrated by either one or several lawbreakers. For instance, during a particular month, different armed thugs of passersby and some burglaries took place inside various areas often thought of as free crime zone. From criminological research, this region is seen as an insecure area and may be referred to as a "hot spot zone." Despite all those other places, a "hot spot" might overlap with different types of criminal situations that occur inside a particular area[CITATION She191 \p 9 \l 1033 ]. The final destination of most illegal activities is often the "hot spot product," and this product takes the shape of separate property or asset. Clarke is the one who came up with the phrase "Hot product," and they define it as the name given to those consumer goods that are considered to be the most enticing to thieves. For instance, several tailgates were taken from vehicles of varying makes and models throughout the city over five months. Additionally, these criminal actions are visible since, in every criminal event, specific properties comparable to one another are taken from various businesses within the area. In most cases, it does not originate from the exact location; yet, in every event that has been seen, the identical items have been taken; this is what makes them a hot zone[CITATION Wei22 \p 119 \l 1033 ]. To lower the general crime rate, several police agencies in the United States have used a "hot spot policing strategy." They implement this method by forming tactical teams that concentrate their efforts on certain small geographic areas or regions inside urban environments PROS AND CONS OF "HOTSPOTS POLICING" 4 with a high concentration of criminal activity. Although there is no universally accepted meaning of the term "hot spot," people often visualize remote locations with frequent occurrences of particular circumstances. With the use of the hot spot policing technique, law enforcement organizations can concentrate their limited resources on the regions of the city where criminal activity is most likely to occur. By focusing a limited amount of available resources on a relatively small number of high-activity crime hot spots, it will be possible to decrease overall crime significantly[CITATION Hab191 \p 2 \l 1033 ]. The concentration of police efforts on high-crime areas has been criticized by several academics, who maintain that it contributes to a pessimistic outlook on the part of specific communities and the officers themselves. In the beginning, the community residents may be delighted that the police are taking action to solve the problems in their neighborhood. However, if this continues, the residents may start to feel as if they are the primary targets of police rather than the crime partners. The connection between the police and the community members may become irreparably damaged due to this behavior[CITATION Cor19 \p 240 \l 1033 ]. There have been solid beliefs, and reasons put out in favor of refraining from law enforcement techniques that negatively impact the public trust and destroy community ties. Tyler (2003) believes that aggressive enforcement techniques in crime hot spots risk alienating community people by signaling suspicion and mistrust. This is because these strategies are employed in hot spot policing. Weird (2016), on the other hand, argues that the evidence for such a "backfire" impact from hot spot policing is not supported by empirical research. According to the findings of these studies, the interventions of hot spot policing have either no effect on public attitudes towards the police or an initial impact that fades with time [CITATION Wei22 \p 119 \l 1033 ]. PROS AND CONS OF "HOTSPOTS POLICING" 5 People can feel afraid due to the increased police presence in hot spots. People have reason to be concerned about the possibility of discrimination being directed toward minority neighborhoods due to the implementation of hot spot policing, which is a situation that is not so dissimilar to the era of mass incarceration, which disproportionately targeted specific groups of people. According to the research of several academics, "hot spot" policing can harm the community it targets and may weaken the sense of communal and social control that residents have in their areas[CITATION Haj20 \p 1470 \l 1033 ]. This hamlet was later subjected to territorial stigmatization and was labeled unruly and uninhabitable due to the territory's reputation. Peace may no longer exist among the people, inevitably leading to a decline in economic activity and population migration. It may become an issue for particular communities, particularly those who will be negatively impacted by the action. There is no one ideal answer to this crime; nonetheless, the government should conduct hot spot policing so that the people's tribes are not disrupted, and peace is maintained among the populace as a whole[CITATION Hab192 \p 7 \l 1033 ]. Conclusion "hot spot policing" is an innovative tactic that may be used by a nation, town, or area. It is essential for areas plagued by crime and security concerns to use this method to address the problem of inadequate security. However, the plan's implementation must be carried out so that individuals are not negatively impacted in any way. It is expected that commerce with regular people would not be hampered. This can only be accomplished via strategic operations so that highly significant individuals are made aware of it. However, the use of hot spot policing has several drawbacks, the most notable of which are the potential to destroy relationships between individuals and instill fear among the members of certain groups.