Apply Deterrence Principles Differently to Make it Work

Mark Kleiman, a public policy professor from UCLA,

believes that the answer to lowering crime by applying

utilitarian principles works if the focus is on surer

punishment, not severer punishment. Reading this

article which discusses Keiman's newest book and

explains how his theory works leaves one wondering,

if indeed it just might not be an effective answer.

Kleiman says the current focus is wrong. He

believes that we have been relying on the severity

of punishment, but most criminals see the chance

of getting caught as low.

"The evidence suggests that when hardened

criminals are reasonably sure that they will be

caught and punished swiftly, even mild sanctions

deter them. But not even the prospect of severe

punishment is effective if offenders think they

can get away with their crimes." Grits for Breakfast.

Kleiman suggests that police announce that they

will be putting emphasis on eliminating crime in a

specific geographical location. "It is an ingenious idea

that borrows from game theory and the economics

of signaling behavior..

Several notable law enforcement successes, like a

crackdown on gang homicide in Boston and strategic

drug market disruptions in High Point, N.C., and

Hempstead, N.Y., provide further testimony

to the effectiveness of focused deterrence.

Scott Henson who writes Grits for Breakfast does

not think that Kleiman's theory will work. You decide

if you agree with Kleiman or Henson.