Risk Terrain Modeling advances the crime risk narrative and helps police and other stakeholders develop strategies and tactics for actions that mitigate environmental attractors of criminal behavior to reduce crime. To operationalize the content of an RTM tables and maps, begin by trying to understand how each risk factor in the risk terrain model relates to the crime incidents under study.
What are the likely mechanisms at play that link the risk factor to the crime? For example, in previous applications of RTM, we found a key risk factor for robbery was “convenience stores.” Through discussions about this factor, police officials explained how most robberies resulted in the theft of cell phones, and that most convenience stores in the city have self-service kiosks to recycle/sell used mobile devices (such as phones) for instant cash payment. They surmised that this explained the spatial correlation (i.e. the link) between the “convenience store” risk factor and the close proximity of robbery incidents. That is, convenience stores (and the kiosks within) provided a quick and nearby method for disposing of stolen goods for instant cash – often times, even before the victim could find a way to notify police about the crime.
In review of the RTM results, try to elucidate a situational-based understanding, or risk narrative, of the crime incidents. This permits a way of looking at behavioral outcomes as less deterministic and more a function of a dynamic interaction among people that occurs at places. Use the RTM results to develop a more comprehensive understanding of risk that can inform strategic and tactical decision-making for thoughtful action.
After connections are made between factors in the risk terrain model and crimes, prioritize the risk factors that should receive focused attention – given available agency resources and your understanding of how the risk factors are probably related to the crime problem. Priority is often given in order of relative risk values, but that is not a requirement.
When factors are selected to receive focused attention, propose actions that police (and/or other stakeholders) can take to mitigate the attractive nature of each risk factor. Multiple activities may be performed to address a single risk factor: all options should be considered. Ultimately, these activities will comprise the risk-based intervention that is implemented.
What are the likely mechanisms at play that link the risk factor to the crime? For example, in previous applications of RTM, we found a key risk factor for robbery was “convenience stores.” Through discussions about this factor, police officials explained how most robberies resulted in the theft of cell phones, and that most convenience stores in the city have self-service kiosks to recycle/sell used mobile devices (such as phones) for instant cash payment. They surmised that this explained the spatial correlation (i.e. the link) between the “convenience store” risk factor and the close proximity of robbery incidents. That is, convenience stores (and the kiosks within) provided a quick and nearby method for disposing of stolen goods for instant cash – often times, even before the victim could find a way to notify police about the crime.
In review of the RTM results, try to elucidate a situational-based understanding, or risk narrative, of the crime incidents. This permits a way of looking at behavioral outcomes as less deterministic and more a function of a dynamic interaction among people that occurs at places. Use the RTM results to develop a more comprehensive understanding of risk that can inform strategic and tactical decision-making for thoughtful action.
After connections are made between factors in the risk terrain model and crimes, prioritize the risk factors that should receive focused attention – given available agency resources and your understanding of how the risk factors are probably related to the crime problem. Priority is often given in order of relative risk values, but that is not a requirement.
When factors are selected to receive focused attention, propose actions that police (and/or other stakeholders) can take to mitigate the attractive nature of each risk factor. Multiple activities may be performed to address a single risk factor: all options should be considered. Ultimately, these activities will comprise the risk-based intervention that is implemented.
Case Study Scenarios (1-pagers)
| Data-Informed Community Engagement |
| All In |
| Police Only Strategy |
| Risk Reduction Taskforce |
| Disorder Calls for Service |