Criminal Justice Project:

1. Criminal Justice Project: Exploring Crimes in A Chosen Location By: Tracy Kapicak Jake Blackman Julian Zavala Lauren Rinard Vicky Stubish

2. Location: College Mall Security desk American eagle target Why: We chose these locations Because it is a common area near Campus where people typically Underestimate the amount of Crimes typically committed

3. Research/Observation Methods • Observed 6 times total • Came up with 8 questions to ask each store/security desk • How often during the day does the store stop a shoplifter? How often is it seen/suspected but not stopped? • Are there security cameras? Are they on/constantly monitored? • What is your store policy on shoplifters? • What’s typical age/race/gender of shoplifters? • What items have security censors and which do not? Does this seem to have any effect? • What is the average value of stolen items? • About how much money is lost per year due to theft? • Is employee theft a problem? About how much money is lost per year?

4. American eagle Survey answers 0-1 shoplifters stopped; 5-6 suspected but not stopped No security cameras AEO cannot accuse someone of stealing unless they physically see with their eyes someone taking something to prevent suing; otherwise approach someone suspicious & show you are watching, talk to them a lot, count items in fitting room, code words to say over walkie talkies to alert other employees of suspicious activity Can range from anyone, but most common are young mostly young males/females Anything over $20 should have ink sensor; does have effect; mostly smaller items stolen Typically under $20 Millions of dollars lost/year Employee theft is a national problem

5. Mall Theft Example: Man steals flat screen from sears

6. Crime Fallacies • Cops and Courts • -security officers spend a large portion of their day completing busywork, not “taking out the bad guy” • Innocent Youth • -most crimes, especially theft, occurring in the mall is by adolescents; age has little effect on possibility to commit crime • Organized Crime • -most crimes committed at the mall are impulse crimes, ones that were not planned out before entering the mall itself

7. Elements of Crime According to the Setting • Setting • -Large groups of preoccupied people (i.e. chatting, shopping, eating, etc.) • -Large, open areas • Likely Offender • -Many young college students (including young males) • Absence of Capable Guardian • -Lack of security officers patrolling

8. Crime Prevention • Natural Strategies • More wide, open spaces lead to easier communication between security • Wider, open walkways give less barriers for criminals to conceal their crimes behind • Eliminate alley entrances • Raise registers above customers to defer direct line of attack • Organized Strategies • More hired security • Training seminars for security to learn more useful tactics • Mechanical Strategies • Investing in more security cameras • More accurate alarm systems in stores

9. Crime Prevention Cont. • Mall Stores • More frequent inventories and audits • Requiring all purchases to be put in a bag and stapled • Scheduled deliveries in back of store • Alternate hangers on racks so they lock if grabbed