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March 14th, 2017

Why crime prevention strategies may be effective against both deliberate and impulsive burglars.

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Blog Admin

March 14th, 2017

Why crime prevention strategies may be effective against both deliberate and impulsive burglars.

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Not all those who commit burglary offenses do so for the same reasons – some are deliberate, planning their actions, while others are more impulsive. In new research on patterns of opportunism among burglars, Amber N. Sanders, Joseph B. Kuhns, and Kristie R. Blevins find that deliberate burglars are more motivated by money, while impulsive burglars were motivated by drugs and/or money. They suggest that burglars of both types may be dissuaded by crime prevention measures which might make their actions riskier.

Rational choice explanations of crime suggest that offenders act in ways that benefits them, but also to avoid negative consequences. In this sense, criminals must decide that their actions outweigh the risks associated with their intended crime. This idea is the basis for situational crime prevention, which aims to reduce opportunities for specific crimes by changing an environment. Common burglary prevention efforts include target hardening, like adding physical barriers such as locks to make a target more difficult to enter, and increasing surveillance such as improved lighting around a residence.

While it is understood that certain burglars are more opportunistic than others, comparisons among distinct patterns of offense planning have not been fully explored. In our research, we compared two groups of burglars who are now inmates in state prisons in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio. The groups differed in their patterns of offense planning: 119 planned their offense (deliberate burglars) versus 257 who reported seldom planning an offense (impulsive burglars). Our findings reveal many similarities and differences in the motivations, target selection, factors that deter offending, and techniques used during the commission of a burglary between the two groups of burglars.

The two groups of burglars were similar in terms of race and marital status. Females were significantly more likely to be impulsive, while deliberate burglars were predominately male. Deliberate burglars tended to be slightly younger than impulsive burglars. Criminal histories were comparable across the two burglar groups, with deliberate burglars reporting a slightly younger age of first burglary arrest. Both burglar groups reported similar levels of substance use; however, crack cocaine use was more prevalent among impulsive burglars.

Figure 1 – Comparing males and females on burglar type

Our findings indicate that deliberate burglars were more often motivated by money, whereas impulsive burglars were more motivated by drugs, both drugs and money, or for other reasons. Additionally, deliberate burglars were more likely to spend the money on living expenses/bills and clothes/shoes. These findings suggest that deliberate burglars are more motivated to pay living expenses while impulsive burglars are more motivated by drug use habits.

Deliberate burglars consider, on average, more situational and environmental aspects (e.g. presence of a car, lights on) when choosing a burglary target. Also, the presence of an alarm makes more of a difference for impulsive burglars than deliberate burglars. Impulsive burglars are more likely to completely refrain from burglarizing a particular location when an alarm is present. Deliberate burglars are also more likely to attempt to disable an alarm if they come across one or attempt to pick a lock. Deliberate burglars also indicate they are not usually successful in disabling alarms. In sum, while deliberate burglars are likely to consider more aspects of a target during selection, they still report being deterred by factors that would make the burglary riskier such as presence of a lock or alarm and whether it seems like the target is occupied.

Figure 2 – Average number of factors considered when deciding to burglarize

Deliberate burglars will, on average, take more burglary tools (e.g. crowbar, lock picking kit, and mask) than an impulsive burglar. When coming into contact with another person while committing a burglary, deliberate burglars were also significantly more likely to have a prepared, prefabricated story ready (e.g., pretend to be a delivery person, a maintenance worker or an employee). In sum, although deliberate burglars are more likely to engage in creative techniques and use tools during their burglary, more often than not they will avoid unnecessary risks and attempt to locate a target with fewer obstacles to overcome.

Figure 3 – Average number of tools typically taken on a burglary

Our findings are important for both crime prevention and recidivism (i.e. repeat offending). First, burglars actively consider how many physical and crime preventive obstacles they may have to overcome in order to succeed in their burglary. They select targets based on visual cues surrounding the target, may have intricate techniques for committing a burglary, and are typically deterred by crime prevention measures. Impulsive burglars are much more easily dissuaded from a target. Though deliberate burglars are likely to consider more aspects of a target, they still report being deterred by details that would make the burglary riskier, such as presence of a lock or alarm and whether it seems like the target is occupied. This implies that elements as outlined within situational crime prevention, such as target hardening and increasing surveillance, are effective in deterring burglars from a potential target. We find that such measures work best against the impulsive burglar, but still are effective deterrents for the deliberate burglar as well.

Second, individuals’ correctional and treatment services rendered by the criminal justice system could be very helpful in preventing recidivism among burglars. Specifically, deliberate burglars may benefit from vocational training and other programs designed to increase levels of employability. Such programs may provide the necessary skills for these individuals to find and maintain legitimate employment. Outcomes regarding impulsive burglars, suggest that substance use treatment should be a priority for these offenders.

This article is based on the paper, ‘Exploring and Understanding Differences Between Deliberate and Impulsive Male and Female Burglars’, in Crime & Delinquency.

Featured image: “Burglars Burgle Elsewhere” by hobvias sudoneighm is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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Note:  This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of USAPP – American Politics and Policy, nor the London School of Economics.

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About the authors

Amber N. Sanders – The Pennsylvania State University
Amber N. Sanders is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at The Pennsylvania State University. She completed her MS in criminal justice at UNC-Charlotte in 2013. Her current research examines crime trends, school violence, and substance use.

 

Joseph B. Kuhns – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Joseph B. Kuhns is a professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His recent work primarily focuses on drugs and violence, policing challenges, and burglary offending and victimization.

 

Kristie R. Blevins – Eastern Kentucky University
Kristie R. Blevins is an associate professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. Her research interests include burglary prevention, correctional rehabilitation, and school safety.

About the author

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Posted In: Amber N. Sanders | Joseph B. Kuhns | Justice and Domestic Affairs | Kristie R. Blevins

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