Joseph PetrocelliMore from Joseph PetrocelliSpecial UnitsDrive-by ShootingsMembers of street gangs and drug dealers are unlikely to redress their grievances through the criminal justice system. If their territory is invaded or if they are victims of drive-by shootings, they are much more likely to seek retribution with drive-by shootings of their own.November 30, 2007PatrolPanhandlingPanhandling can be found in almost every community and takes on many different forms. The unsympathetic view holds that panhandlers are the beginnings of decay within a community and the foothold for disorder and crime.October 31, 2007PatrolSchool VandalismWhile such acts are rarely reported in the media, one in three schools has reported acts of vandalism each year. In 1990 more than $600 million in damage to school property was caused by vandals. By understanding the nuances of vandalistic acts, patrol officers can develop specialized responses to help minimize future attacks.September 30, 2007PatrolCrimes at ATMsBanks like ATMs because they don't require renting a whole building or paying a teller to provide services to their customers. Citizens love ATMs for the convenience. Robbers also love Automated Teller Machines.August 31, 2007PatrolStalkingAt first, the term "stalking" was mostly associated only with cases involving deranged, obsessed fans who were harassing beautiful movie stars. But statistics show that one in 12 women and one in 45 men are victims of stalking at least once in their lifetime.July 31, 2007PatrolCrimes Against Taxi DriversDriving a taxi is one of the most dangerous professions. Drivers are sent alone to isolated areas, including high-crime neighborhoods to pick up strangers. They work early mornings and late nights, and they carry a lot of cash. So it's not surprising that taxi drivers are often assaulted, robbed, and killed.June 30, 2007PatrolMentally Ill SubjectsResearch shows that approximately five percent of U.S. citizens have a serious mental illness. What this means for law enforcement is that approximately seven percent of police contacts involve a mentally ill person and 10 to 15 percent of incarcerated persons are mentally ill.May 31, 2007PatrolStreet RacingToday, street racing is a problem in almost every American community, as technology such as the Internet and text messaging have made it easy to stage underground races for substantial audiences.March 31, 2007PatrolCrime at Budget MotelsA budget motel can be an epicenter of crime in a neighborhood. Problems at these "no-tell motels" can range from loud parties and public disorder to drug lab and prostitution operations.February 28, 2007PatrolElder AbuseThe fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population is the cohort of people who are more than 85 years old. The aging of America will present many challenges to law enforcement, including how to protect people who may no longer have the physical or mental capacity to protect themselves and how to investigate cases of elder abuse.January 31, 2007Previous PagePage 4 of 5Next Page