Private Sector Involvement in Crime Prevention: Emerging Perspectives, Interests, and Concerns

Introduction

A growing phenomenon in many regions of the world is the development and expansion of private security, including such things as private security guards, CCTV, and other forms of surveillance technologies.  While exact figures are difficult to obtain, it is estimated that in some regions of the world, private security officers outnumber the public police from 3 to 1, and deploys more resources and operates less visibly than the public police. Less subjected to public scrutiny, regulation and accountability, in crime prevention, private security is as much a strategic partner as a source of legitimate concern.

However, as a producer of  safety, the private sector is involved in two other ways as well.  Seen within the larger portfolio of corporate social responsibility, corporations often provide support to organisations that assist young people at-risk, respond to families in need, contribute to enhancing the social fabric of neighbourhoods, invest in programmes that tackle domestic violence, and/or create awareness on issues such as media violence, fraud, identity theft, drug abuse, etc.  Moreover, for some time now, businesses have been involved in diverse forms of public and private partnerships, and not only in the penal setting, but in crime prevention as well.

Private Security: Trends and Issues

Interview with Clifford Shearing,
International Expert on Private Security

Clifford Shearing is currently Professor in the Research School of Social Science at the Australian National University where he co-directs Security 21: An International Centre for Security and Justice. His research and writing focuses on trends in governance which he explores through analyses of the governance of security.  He directs projects on developments in governance in Australia, Argentina, Northern Ireland and South Africa.  His recent publications include Governing Security: Explorations in Policing and Justice (written with Les Johnston--Routledge , 2003) and Imagining Security (with Jennifer Wood, Willan, 2005, forthcoming).

Community/Business/Government Partnership: Working to Enhance Safety, One Step at a Time

Stephnie Payne is Executive Director, of the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRA)- a community-based organization in Toronto, Canada, which works with the private sector.  This interview highlights the different ways in which businesses, labour and others working within the private sector can contribute to community safety. Some of the urban inner-city challenges facing the community of San Romanoway, include gang-related violence, poverty, interracial tensions, and crime. The integrated efforts of the SRA partnership aim to address the root causes of crime, to enhance feelings of safety in the area among local residents, and to create opportunities for young people.