Abstract
Why does crime prevention fail? And under what conditions does it succeed? Routine Activity Theory provides the foundation for understanding crime and its patterns by focusing on variations in the convergence of offenders, targets and controllers in space and time. But Routine Activity Theory does not provide a full understanding of why the controllers may be absent or ineffective. This article expands Routine Activity Theory to explain controllers. It claims that the behaviors of controllers can be understood in the context of their relationship with super controllers – those who regulate controllers’ incentives to prevent crime. The article lists and describes types of super controllers. Drawing on a rational choice perspective and Situational Crime Prevention, the article examines the methods super controllers use to regulate the conduct of controllers. Examples are used throughout to illustrate specific points and to show the diversity of super controlling. This article concludes with a discussion of the implication of super controllers for the practice of crime prevention and research into crime reduction methods.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Advertising Association, Association of Convenience Stores, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, Bar Entertainment and Dance Association, British Beer & Pub Association, British Hospitality Association BII, British Retail Consortium, Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, Gin and Vodka Association, Guild of Master Victuallers, National Association of Cider Makers, Scotch Whisky Association, Society of Independent Brewers, The Portman Group, Wine and Spirit Trade Association. (2005) Social responsibility standards for the production and sale of alcoholic drinks in the UK (November).
Akers, R.L. (1997) Criminological Theories: Introduction and Evaluation. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury.
Bowers, K.J. and Johnson, S.D. (2006) Implementing failure and success: Some lessons from England. In: J. Knutsson and R.V. Clarke (eds.) Putting Theory to Work: Implementing Situational Crime Prevention and Problem-Oriented Policing, Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 20, Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 163–198.
Brunet, J.R. (2002) Discouragement of crime through civil remedies: An application of a reformulated routine activities theory. Western Criminology Review 4 (1): 68–79.
Cain, C. (2009) State tax scofflaws may be exposed. The Detroit News, 24 February, http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090224/POLITICS/902240381, accessed 24 February 2009.
Center for Problem Oriented Policing. (2008) www.popcenter.org, accessed 3 October 2008.
Clarke, R.V. (2008) Situational crime prevention. In: R. Wortley and L. Mazerolle (eds.) Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. Cullompton, UK: Willan Publishing, pp. 178–194.
Clarke, R.V. and Eck, J.E. (2005) Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps. Washington DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice.
Clarke, R.V., Kemper, R. and Wyckoff, L. (2001) Controlling cell phone fraud in the U.S: Lessons for the UK ‘Foresight’ prevention initiative. Security Journal 14 (1): 7–22.
Cohen, L.E. and Felson, M. (1979) Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review 44 (4): 588–605.
Cornish, D. and Clarke, R.V. (2008) The rational choice perspective. In: R. Wortley and L. Mazerolle (eds.) Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. Cullompton, UK: Willan Publishing, pp. 21–47.
Eck, J.E. (1994) Drug markets and drug places: A case-control study of the spatial structure of illicit drug dealing. PhD dissertation, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Eck, J.E. (1996) Do premises liability suits promote business crime prevention. In: R.V. Clarke and M. Felson (eds.) Business and Crime Prevention. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 125–150.
Eck, J.E. (2002) Preventing crime at places. In: L.W. Sherman, D.P. Farrington, B. Welsh and D.L. MacKenzie (eds.) Evidence-Based Crime Prevention. New York: Routledge, pp. 241–294.
Eck, J.E., Clarke, R.V. and Guerette, R.T. (2007) Risky facilities: Crime concentration in homogeneous sets of establishments and facilities. In: G. Farrell, K.J. Bowers, S.D. Johnson and M. Townsley (eds.) Imagination for Crime Prevention, Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 19, Monsey, NY: Crime Prevention Studies, pp. 225–264.
Farrell, G. (1995) Preventing repeat victimization. In: M. Tonry and D.P. Farrington (eds.) Building a Safer Society: Strategic Approaches to Crime Prevention. Crime and Justice Annual, Vol. 19, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, pp. 469–534.
Felson, M. (2008) Routine activity theory. In: R. Wortley and L. Mazerolle (eds.) Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. Cullompton, UK: Willan Publishing, pp. 70–77.
Homel, R., Hauritz, M., Wortley, R., McIlwain, G. and Carvolth, R. (1997) Preventing alcohol-related crime through community action: The Surfers Paradise Safety Action Project. In: R. Homel (ed.) Policing for Prevention: Reducing Crime, Public Intoxication and Injury, Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 7, Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 35–90.
Knutson, J. (2006) What is there to gain? A case study in implementing without self-interest. In: J. Knutsson and R.V. Clarke (eds.) Putting Theory to Work: Implementing Situational Crime Prevention and Problem-Oriented Policing, Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 20, Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 89–110.
Korte, G. (2003) Council halts student housing project. The Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 May, www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/05/08/loc_stratford08.html, accessed 28 January 2009.
Laycock, G. (2006) Implementing crime reduction measures: Conflicts and tensions. In: J. Knutsson and R.V. Clarke (eds.) Putting Theory to Work: Implementing Situational Crime Prevention and Problem-Oriented Policing, Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 20, Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 65–88.
Madensen, T. (2007) Bar management and crime: Toward a dynamic theory of place management and crime hotspots. PhD dissertation, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Madensen, T. and Eck, J.E. (2008) Spectator Violence in Stadium Settings. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice.
Perez-Pena, R. (1996) Fixed $30 taxi fare is a hit with tourists. The New York Times 31 January, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E4DF1739F932A05752C0A960958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1, accessed 7 October 2008.
Rawe, J. (2007) Bye-bye, mall rats. Time, www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1638449,00.html, accessed 2 October 2008.
Sampson, R. (2001) Drug Dealing in Privately Owned Apartment Complexes. Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series, Vol. 4, Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
Scholfield, R. (2008) Get tougher on nightclub violence. Editorial. The Wichita Eagle, 9 September, www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/story/522842.html, accessed 7 October 2008.
Scott, M., Eck, J.E., Knutson, J. and Goldstein, H. (2008) Problem-oriented policing and environmental criminology. In: R. Wortley and L. Mazerolle (eds.) Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. Cullompton, UK: Willan Publishing, pp. 221–246.
Sheboygan Police Department. (2005) Neighbors against drugs. Submission to the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing; 24 June. Sheboygan, WS: Sheboygan Police Department, http://popcenter.org/library/awards/goldstein/2005/05-13(F).pdf.
Smith, T. (2008) Landlords slow to join program. The News Record, 9 September: 1, Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati.
Tillyer, M. (2008) Getting a handle on street violence: Using environmental criminology to understand and prevent repeat offender problems. PhD dissertation, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Wortley, R. (2002) Situational Prison Control: Crime Prevention in Correctional Institutions. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Wortley, R. and Mazerolle, L. (2008) Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. Cullompton, UK: Willan Publishing.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sampson, R., Eck, J. & Dunham, J. Super controllers and crime prevention: A routine activity explanation of crime prevention success and failure. Secur J 23, 37–51 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2009.17
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2009.17