Opportunity Theories Of Crime

Opportunity theories of crime such as routine activity and crime pattern have been used

to understand the place characteristics and situations that cause criminal events to concentrate at

particular places. So if a crime occurred routinely at a particular place, it is highly likely it will

keep occurring there. Additionally, people who frequent particular places get to know each other

and develop shared norms about acceptable behavior in the area.

Three researchers examined the importance of situational opportunities and social

characteristics in distinguishing hot streets and other locations. They found that both opportunity

and social disorganization theories of crime were associated with high-crime streets. They found

that the predictors

of problem streets were motivated offenders (high-risk juveniles), suitable
targets (employees, residents and public facilities) and accessibility and urban form (bus stops).
The ‘‘physical disorder’’ social disorganization measure was strongly related to high-
crime street segments such as the number of reported litter, weeds, graffiti, rundown homes, junk
storage and inoperable cars on the street. Some areas associated with increased risks of crime are
“risky facilities” such as poorly managed parking lots, fast-food joints, massage parlors, high
schools, housing projects, urban parks, motels, and pubs and taverns. Further, street types (main
roads, residential streets, bus routes, or retail streets) and street accessibility from major
highways are also at increased risk of crime. If a neighborhood has any of these facilities near
them, they are at a higher risk. Moreover, the rate of crime for juveniles on street segments could
be characterized by the absence of parents, teachers, and others who can control them.
Finally, residents of high-crime streets might fail to vote. Many of these residents could
be young, short-term renters, often living in apartments above stores, whose circumstances might
not favor voting. Their everyday lives make it difficult for them to vote.
After reading this article, I can conclude that location and a person’s surroundings have a
lot to do with crime. Living or being surrounded by any of the conditions listed above could lead
to a more likelihood of a person committing a crime or being around areas of high crime.