Which patrol type is described as focusing on problem-prone circumstances to reduce recurring crime?

• A. Preventative
• B. Random
• C. Proactive
• D. Selective

Answer: (D)

Selective patrol targets problem-prone circumstances to curb recurring crime. This approach uses data to identify hotspots, repeat victimizations, and specific times or settings where crime tends to reoccur, then concentrates patrols in those contexts to disrupt the ongoing pattern. The goal is to deter and detect offenders where the recurring offenses happen, not just patrol broadly or randomly. It’s different from general preventive patrol, which aims to deter crime across a wide area; from random patrol, which lacks a focused plan; and from proactive policing, which emphasizes initiating actions to prevent crime in a broader sense rather than concentrating specifically on persistent problems in defined contexts. For example, increasing patrols in a known burglary hotspot during peak hours targets the exact circumstances that drive recurring offenses.