Hughes, Gordon & Edwards, Adam. (2002). CRIME CONTROL AND COMMUNITY: THE NEW POLITICS OF PUBLIC SAFETY. Cullompton, England: Willan Publishing, ISBN 1903240549.

     A collection of articles discussing community-based crime prevention policies and practices in Britain. Practices in specific communities are examined, to demonstrate the diversity of approaches and their context specificity. This work is most interesting for its consideration of the ethical dimensions and implications of community-based crime prevention practices, and as such, relevant to U.S. policy makers and law enforcement practitioners.

     Knutsson, Johannes (Editor). (2003). PROBLEM-ORIENTED POLICING: FROM INNOVATION TO MAINSTREAM. Monsey, N.Y.: Criminal Justice Press, ISBN 1881798372. Crime Prevention Studies Volume 15.

     A collection of papers commissioned from police researchers based in Europe and North America. Successful problem oriented policing is evidence-based, and requires research and analysis of the problem, followed by a coherent strategy to tackle it. The first papers take a broad look at contemporary problem-oriented policing. Other papers include a discussion of the British Crime Reduction Program, a look at repeat victimization as a possible target for problem oriented policing, and a discussion of the sort of analysis appropriate for problem oriented policing. Two case studies are included — one on drug markets and the other on thefts from cars in city parking facilities.

     Miller, Lisa L. (2001). THE POLITICS OF COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION: IMPLEMENTING OPERATION WEED AND SEED IN SEATTLE. Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate, Dartmouth, ISBN 0754621405.

     Operation Weed and Seed provides federal funding for local crime prevention programs. Money goes to law enforcement to weed out the criminals while seed money goes to support social services and improve community conditions. Community policing is an integral part of the program. This work reports how Seattle implemented such a program in its Central District, and the reactions and involvement of the residents. The author observes that community leaders, while enthusiastic about the funding for job creation, social services and other seeded activities, were generally unhappy with the police-focused weeding aspects of the program.

     Pastor, James F. (2003). THE PRIVATIZATION OF POLICE IN AMERICA: AN ANALYSIS AND CASE STUDY. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, ISBN 0786415746.

     This work grew out of the research carried out by the author for his doctoral dissertation. He spent time “riding along” with the private security patrols charged with providing policing services in Marquette Park in Southwest Chicago. Before providing details of his case study, the author reviews the development and contemporary status of private security services in the U.S. He is particularly concerned with constitutional issues and includes a discussion and analysis of relevant court decisions.

     Tillman, Robert. GLOBAL PIRATES: FRAUD IN THE OFFSHORE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. Boston: Northeastern University Press, ISBN 1555535054 (paper).

     Outlines scams aimed at ordinary consumers in the insurance and financial industries. The author contends that these industries are underregulated and aided by globalization. He relates stories of some of the larger cons in recent years, and their policy effects. Some of the names involved include Legend Sports, First Assurance, Alan Teale and Jesse Maynard. Interesting account of a murky area of corporate fraud.

     Conklin, John E. (2003). WHY CRIME RATES FELL. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, ISBN 020538157X (paper).

     This may be the most intriguing question facing criminologists and practitioners today — why did crime rates fall so dramatically during the 1990s? The author, a criminologist at Tufts University, analyzes the evidence for the various hypotheses suggested, including changes in policing practices and demographics, firearms and drugs reductions, and increased incarceration rates. The author examines New York in particular, by looking at how The New York Times reported both the crime drop and its causes.

     Hughes, Gordon, McLaughlin, Eugene & Muncie, John. (Editors). (2002). CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY: NEW DIRECTIONS. London: Sage, ISBN: 0761974091 (paper). Published in association with the Open University.

     A compilation of papers exploring the sociopolitical aspects of the crime prevention/community safety field. Most of the authors are either criminologists or sociologists, and critically examine current practices, mainly in Britain. It was written as a text for an Open University graduate course, but can stand alone as a series of readings in sociological theory. Most of the book deals with Britain, with one paper on Northern Ireland discussing community policing issues in a place where crime can be labeled either ordinary or political. The final third of the book explores comparative practices, in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, France and an orthodox Jewish community in London.

     Mosher, Clayton James. (2002). THE MISMEASURE OF CRIME. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, ISBN 0761987118.

     Statistics are vital to the formation of public policy. Crime statistics are being collected and used by departments in cities across the country to allocate scarce law enforcement resources. Statistics feature in the media every day, with competing claims that numbers are up or down. It has never been more important to understand how these statistics are gathered and what they really mean. This book is essential reading for anyone concerned about how crime figures are gathered and interpreted. The history of crime measurement is surveyed, before the author concentrates on contemporary crime data collecting. Other chapters cover victimization surveys, self-report studies, and official crime data, while the final chapter discusses the relationship of data to crime theories, and how the data is applied. Math-phobics need not be alarmed — despite the subject matter, there is not a single equation in the book.

     Robinson, Deborah Mitchell (Editor). (2002). POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, ISBN 013028436X (paper).

     This compilation of articles serves as a good introduction to the role of police in crime prevention. It starts with a historical overview, and continues with case studies of crime prevention programs in academic settings and public housing, and in the contexts of gangs, and domestic violence. Designed as a short text for college courses in policing, but could also be useful in an academy setting.

     Segrave, Kerry. (2001). SHOPLIFTING: A SOCIAL HISTORY. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, ISBN 0786409088 (paper).

     From the stereotypical well-to-do female kleptomaniac of the late 19th century to 1960s teenagers indulging in the latest fad, the author explores theft from stores in the U.S. since 1860. He assesses the actual cost of shoplifting compared to other inventory losses (it’s apparently less than a third of the total losses) and store responses, including anti-theft devices, private security personnel and legal responses. Anecdotes, quotes and a lively journalistic style make the book a lighter read than it might have been.

     Waller, Irwin (2003). CRIME VICTIMS: DOING JUSTICE TO THEIR SUPPORT AND PROTECTION. Monsey, N.Y.: Criminal Justice Press, ISBN 9525333159.

     “This handbook provides policy makers, researchers, advocates and citizens of all nations with guidance on how to improve services and rights for victims. Chapter topics include: The Impact of Crime on Victims; How Should Victims Be Treated — International Standards; Examples of Good Practice; and Critical Steps to Improve Protection in a Country. Appendices reprint United Nations and Council of Europe declarations plus listings of research resources.” (Text from the publisher.)