Page 21 - 1Proactive Policing

Pro-Active Policing

 Analysis of anti-social behavior incidents was only possible for one site, and there were
no data available for the control site. The total number of incidents fell significantly, as did

the number of criminal damage incidents.
 There was a positive program effect on public perception of change in the crime rate over
the previous twelve months, in terms of an increase in the percentage of respondents who

thought crime had reduced. The percentage of people who thought crime had increased
over the previous twelve months did not change.

―Reassurance policing‖ is an approach to policing that emphasizes the importance of the police
communicating a positive image to the public, that the public is reassured that the police are doing

a good job. It is closely allied to ―community policing,‖ ―community-oriented policing services‖
(COPS), and ―neighborhood policing.‖

Saturation Patrol

A saturation patrol is a police or military patrol tactic wherein a large number of officers are
concentrated into a small geographic area. Saturation patrols are used for hot-spot crime
reduction, DUI checkpoints, and other location-specific patrols. The methodology employs

overwhelming force presence, via large concentration of patrol officers, to create a real or
perceived omnipresence, in the hopes that it deters crime inside and outside the actual patrol
location. Authorities also use them because of riots and riot officers together with horses or dogs

can assist.

Saturation patrols involve law enforcement deploying additional police officers to targeted
roadways during select time periods to detect and apprehend impaired drivers.

The primary focus for officers during these patrols is to find impaired drivers by observing
changes in driving behaviors, while also looking out for any traffic violations by motorists. The

behaviors most often assessed are: lane deviation, following too closely, reckless or aggressive
driving and/or speeding (Greene, 2003). The intention of this heavier police presence is to
increase motorists‘ perception that they will be arrested if they drive impaired. Saturation patrols

take place in all 50 states, and do not present many legal issues beyond those associated with
routine traffic stops.

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