Recommendations to address problem:
1. Use intermittent, unpredictable directed patrols at high crime locations (see High-Crime Areas (“Hot Spots”) strategies under Crime Reduction).
2. Understand why some places draw potential victims with valuables and suspects who wish to rob them (e.g., convenience stores, check-cashing locations, drug markets, banks and ATMs).
3. Identify the opportunities that are contributing to street robberies, such as the presence of ATMs, the lack of street lighting, unattended parking lots, intoxicated patrons, open-air drug markets, etc. To help with identification, consult with your department’s CPTED unit, review the Refresher on CPTED, and incorporate the strategies outlined in the High-Risk/High-Crime Locations section.
4. Once the opportunities have been identified, address each opportunity specifically (e.g., CCTV cameras, improved lighting, signage, working with the municipality to fence off passages between buildings, etc.)
4. Consider pedestrian stops and traffic stops when dealing with armed street robberies. See Refresher on Stop and Frisk and “Improving Exchanges with Citizens” to ensure these are conducted respectfully and lawfully.
5. For cell phone snatch-and-grabs: consider placing signage and providing pedestrians with information about cell phone robberies in an area to increase awareness and reduce victimization.
6. Carry out focused deterrence efforts on repeat offenders and/or gang members (see High-Risk Violent Offenders strategies).
In an effort to provide helpful suggestions in areas that have not yet been fully studied or evaluated, we have included ideas for responses and activities that may not yet be considered evidence-based or evidence-informed. Therefore, not all actions and strategies included within this App are evidence-based or evidence-informed.