Science, politics, and crime prevention: Toward a new crime policy

ObjectiveCrime prevention has entered a new, more robust phase of research activity and holds greater relevance to policy and practice today than ever before. It stands as an important component of an overall strategy to reduce crime. This paper sets out a modest proposal for a new crime policy to help build a safer, more sustainable society.Materials and methodsNarrative meta-review of the crime prevention literature.ResultsThe central features include: ensuring that the highest quality scientific research is at center stage in the policy-making process; overcoming the “short-termism” politics of the day; and striking a greater balance between crime prevention and crime control. Both simulation studies and experiences in Washington State show that early prevention can reduce crime, save money, and reduce the need for costly incarceration.ConclusionsQuality criminological research should be used to strike a policy balance between crime prevention and crime control.

► There is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of crime prevention.
► Crime prevention is an important component of an overall strategy to reduce crime.
► Prevention science and evidence-based policy are two contemporary developments that have strengthened crime prevention.
► Innovative approaches exist to overcome political challenges that confront crime prevention.