3/03/2023
How human behaviours are influenced by community signals.
A signal is made up of three parts:
Expression is the incident that is the focus of concern.
Content is what that expression means to the person
Effect is the change that is caused by the expression and its content
Signals cause changes in how people think, how they feel and how they behave.
A perspective is a view – It may be individual, group, whole community. It is driven by many factors and may be swayed. Closely aligned with perception both terms are influencers. A person’s perception is their reality, and they will behave accordingly.
The signals crime perspective is – Analysing problems through the ‘eyes of the citizen’. Most peoples concerns about neighbourhood security are driven by anti social behaviour, incivilities, disorder, and environmental factors – generally events that go unrecorded and that were viewed as trivial or other people’s business in traditional policing terms.
Distribution of Risks – Some crime and disorder incidents function as warning signals to people about the distribution of risks to their security in everyday life. Some environmental factors function as warning signals to people about the distribution of risk to their security in everyday life. They shape the public’s collective risk perception, and some do so more than others.
Signals Crime – is any criminal incident that causes change in the public’s behaviour and or belief about their security. Signal crimes are rarely seen but leave a visible indication of occurrence Behaviour can be altered by hearing about as well as seeing. Will include views born of media misrepresentation and hearsay as well as true reflections. Examples include Arson, Vandalism, Graffiti, Broken vehicle glass, garbage dumping, drug paraphernalia.
Signal Disorder – is an act that breaches situated conventions of social order and signifies the presence of other risks. They can be social or physical in nature. Signal disorders are more often encountered occurring. Behaviour can be altered by hearing about as well as seeing. Will include views born of media misrepresentation and hearsay as well as true reflections. Examples include: Noise, Littering, Juvenile nuisance or intimidatory behaviour, Public alcohol abuse, On street urination / defaecation, Abandoned vehicles.
Signal Environmental Factor – is neither the result of crime or disorder but still causes change in the public’s behaviour and or belief about their security. Signal environmental factors are visible to communities. Behaviour is less likely to be altered by hearing about them because they are there in front of you. Signal environmental factors are less likely to be influenced by views born of media misrepresentation and hearsay because they are there in front of you. Environmental factors you can verify, and hearsay or media may encourage you to do so. Examples include: Dark recesses, poor surveillance capability, by design, Poor or unserviceable lighting, Poor landscaping and maintenance, Evident lack of authority care, speed to action, Evident lack of resident care, Evident lack of ownership, No exercising of territoriality, Damaged flagstones, Intimidating alleyways, Fortress mentality, Underpasses.
Control Signal – A Control Signal is an act of formal or informal social control that sends out a message about the presence or absence of effective security. Can be positive or negative. Examples: Leisure provision i.e., teen arena / toddler play area being used, Residents exercising territoriality, Well tended gardens, Well tended communal areas, Good quality lighting, Law abiding people busying up the streets, The presence of authority figures, Well designed buildings that support good surveillance, Children playing out.
Negative control Signals – Lack of living streets i.e., behind closed doors community, Unwillingness to report incidents/crime, Community intelligence drought, Fear of reprisals resulting in witness fallout, Poor quality mainstream maintenance/repair, Fortress mentality particularly on commercial retail or private / public business sector premises, Evidently and clearly inappropriate authority provision.
Remember Possible Conflicts – A show of visible force or high visibility patrols may increase people’s feelings of insecurity. On the other hand, a regular police presence in a known trouble spot can increase feelings of safety.
Finally, an Illustration that captures a cycle of decline.