11
Community Policing Dened
Scanning: Identifying and prioritizing problems
The objectives of scanning are to identify a basic problem, determine the
nature of that problem, determine the scope of seriousness of the problem,
and establish baseline measures. An inclusive list of stakeholders for the
selected problem is typically identified in this phase. A problem can be
thought of as two or more incidents similar in one or more ways and that is of
concern to the police and the community. Problems can be a type of behavior,
a place, a person or persons, a special event or time, or a combination of any
of these. The police, with input from the community, should identify and
prioritize concerns.
Analysis: Researching what is known about the problem
Analysis is the heart of the problem-solving process. The objectives of analysis
are to develop an understanding of the dynamics of the problem, develop an
understanding of the limits of current responses, establish correlation, and
develop an understanding of cause and effect. As part of the analysis phase,
it is important to find out as much as possible about each aspect of the crime
triangle by asking who, what, when, where, how, why, and why not about the
victim, offender, and crime location.
Response: Developing solutions to bring about lasting reductions
in the number and extent of problems
The response phase of the SARA model involves developing and
implementing strategies to address an identified problem by searching for
strategic responses that are both broad and uninhibited. The response should
follow logically from the knowledge learned during the analysis and should
be tailored to the specific problem. The goals of the response can range from
either totally eliminating the problem, substantially reducing the problem,
reducing the amount of harm caused by the problem, or improving the quality
of community cohesion.
Assessment: Evaluating the success of the responses
Assessment attempts to determine if the response strategies were successful
by understanding if the problem declined and if the response contributed
to the decline. This information not only assists the current effort but also
gathers data that build knowledge for the future. Strategies and programs can