Crime Prevention

Have you ever seen the Crime Prevention Triangle? This concept simply states that in order for a crime to occur all three of these triangle elements must exist. If we can eliminate any one of these elements, a crime cannot occur.

Desire - the desire of a criminal to commit a crime. We, as citizens, can’t effect or remove a criminal’s desire to commit a crime. If someone really wants to commit a crime, he or she will.
Ability - the criminal’s ability to commit a crime. We can’t effect the ability of a criminal to commit a crime but we can make the commission of the crime more difficult (increase the need for special abilities).
Opportunity - the criminal’s opportunity to commit crimes. This is where we can take action to prevent crime. By removing opportunity, we have broken the Crime Prevention Triangle.

Helping Prevent Crime Is a Job for Everyone

Law enforcement and the judicial system alone can’t solve the crime problem. Citizen efforts are the key to crime prevention.

Break-ins happen much more frequently than most people think - and it's always a devastating experience. The Safety, Health & Consumer Council has developed a guide as a way to help promote safety and prevention awareness. This guide includes key steps and preventive measures that can go a long way in keeping home safe and secure while everyone is away.

Read the guide: SafeHome.org Guide to Securing & Protecting Your Home

Mission

The mission of the crime prevention unit is to assist the Scott County Sheriff’s Office in the overall effort of reducing crime, and to increase citizen safety through crime prevention information, training and services to the community.

Questions or Further Information

If you have questions regarding crime prevention, please feel free to call Community Engagement Deputy Amy Lueck at 952-496-8316.

Crime Prevention