Which statement best describes crime prevention?

Which statement best describes crime prevention?

• A. Anticipating and reducing crime risk
• B. Reducing penalties
• C. Increasing surveillance only
• D. Responding after crime occurs

Answer: (A)

Crime prevention means acting before crimes happen by reducing opportunities and risk. The best statement reflects this proactive approach—anticipating what could go wrong and putting measures in place to lower the chance of crime, such as improving lighting, improving locks, designing spaces to deter misuse, and engaging the community to deter offenders. Reducing penalties focuses on punishment after a crime is committed, not on preventing it. Increasing surveillance alone is only one tool and doesn’t address broader factors or opportunities that enable crime. Responding after crime occurs is purely reactive and misses the chance to stop offenses before they happen.

Crime prevention means acting before crimes happen by reducing opportunities and risk. The best statement reflects this proactive approach—anticipating what could go wrong and putting measures in place to lower the chance of crime, such as improving lighting, improving locks, designing spaces to deter misuse, and engaging the community to deter offenders.

Reducing penalties focuses on punishment after a crime is committed, not on preventing it. Increasing surveillance alone is only one tool and doesn’t address broader factors or opportunities that enable crime. Responding after crime occurs is purely reactive and misses the chance to stop offenses before they happen.