StoreFront or Sting Program
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StoreFront or Sting Program
The field of criminal justice is often faced with the responsibility of dealing with various crimes. The crimes tend to include cybercrime, sexual assault, property crimes, and robbery. Each crime will require particular techniques or methods to assist in finding a criminal. For instance, the techniques utilized to handle cybercrimes will differ from those used in solving property crimes. For example, property crimes often utilize the method referred to as a storefront or sting program. The method is often considered due to the outcomes. The paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a storefront or sting program in solving property crimes.
The sting program is a technique that is often used to recover stolen property and detention of the individuals involved. In the method, police officers often take the identity of fences (Lushbaugh C & Weston P B, 2016). Fences are individuals who are considered as the middle people in the purchase and sale of a property. They are responsible for purchasing anything and then selling, thus, removing the burden of the criminal having direct contact with a receiver. The method has proved to be advantageous based on the results.
Sting program is significant in that it facilitates and increases arrests. In the contemporary criminal world, there exist many cases of suspected individuals involved in property crimes (Newman G, 2016). Thus, to assist in coordinating the investigation of all the property crimes, the sting program provides a platform for the collection of evidence. Furthermore, the method allows the identification of key offenders for a particular crime. In turn, arrests are made based on the existing evidence collected through the sting program.
The storefront technique also assists in enhancing the aspect of public relations and improving the police image (Newman G, 2016). The technique requires investigators to assume the identity of fencers. Assuming the identity of fencers means the individuals need to interact with the public. In turn, the relationship between the police and the public is improved. Similarly, during the end of the operation, the police will often call for the assistance of media to broadcast their success to the public. By doing so, the image of the police is improved in the eyes of the public.
Lastly, the method assists in increasing the presence of the police in public. Police posing as fences are often required to be in civilian clothing (Newman G, 2016). Such a requirement makes it hard to distinguish whether an individual is a police officer or a civilian. Thus, police operations within the community are increased. Similarly, increased police presence tends to reduce the levels of crime within society.
Despite the sting program proving to be advantageous, there are certain disadvantages associated with the method. For instance, the technique does not prevent recurring criminal activities (Newman G, 2016). The method will tend to stop a targeted crime for a short period. After which the crime can occur after concentration is drawn away. Thus, the sting program will reduce criminal activities but not their reoccurrence.
Another disadvantage is that the method is likely to increase the rate of crime (Lushbaugh C & Weston P B, 2016). When criminals are hindered from carrying out their activities through the available channels, they will resolve to new methods. Establish new methods, means that the criminals will come up with new crimes. In turn, the rate of crime will increase due to the introduction of new methods. Similarly, investigators undercover can also contribute to increased crimes. For instance, such individuals can be victimized by committing new crimes that were not included in the sting plan.
In conclusion, investigators are faced with the responsibility of solving various crimes. The crimes often require particular techniques to be solved. For instance, property crimes utilize sting program or storefront to recover stolen property and make arrests. The method is often used due to the results. However, certain disadvantages are possessed by the sting program, for example, the inability to prevent recurring crime.
References
Lushbaugh, C., & Weston, P. B. (2016). Criminal investigation: Basic perspectives.
Newman, G. (2016). Sting Operations | Page 4 | ASU Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Popcenter.asu.edu. Retrieved 30 April 2020, from https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/sting-operations-page-4.