WHY PAY ATTENTION TO TRENDS?
They change our lives
- In 1986, how would you have called emergency road service? Today?
- I 1986, how could you get cash out of your bank in a strange city at 1:00 AM? Today?
- In 1986, how big was a high-quality personal music player? Today?
- In 1986, how bulky were televisions/ Today?
Crime Prevention Implications
- Cell phones: Quick calls right from the car to road service or to 911, but small and easy to forget/steal.
- ATM: Would-be robbers know what you are probably doing when you walk up to one.
- Lightweight TVS: Convenient to move around the house; easier for burglars to take; more attractive to use or fence.
- Tiny, top quality-sound I-pods are convenient to carry, but easy to steal or lose. They are also attractive for crooks to resale.
Other Recent Trends
- On-line banking, bill-paying lead to phishing and spoofing(cyber fraud attempts by crooks)
- Cyberbullying emerges as a serious crime; solutions still under development
- Identity theft zooms to major national issue; numerous prevention strategies emerge.
Local terrorism prevention emerges as added crime prevention responsibility
