The present scenario concerns a patrol officer assigned to a truck stop near a major highway encountering crime and disorder problems. This truck stop serves as a parking lot for hundreds of trucks and is known for having high levels of drug use and prostitution. Parents in the community have lodged complaints about drug syringes and “ladies of the night,” making the area unsafe for families who want to stop at the fast-food restaurant located at the truck stop. In response, the officer’s supervisor has instructed the use of the SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) model to address this issue and provide a report with recommendations (The SARA model). It is deemed essential to take a systematic and evidence-based approach to effectively resolve this problem and ensure a safer community environment for families and their children.
Scanning
Collecting information about the truck stop, the surrounding area, and social problems is necessary to assess the situation fully. First, data such as the number of calls received from the community about drug syringes and prostitution, arrests made in the area, and complaints made to the fast-food restaurant have to be collected. Secondly, to assess what measures have already been taken to solve the problem – whether there are video cameras in the area and a sufficient number of patrols. Third, it is necessary to assess what social factors influence the situation. The root cause of the problem is likely complex and multi-faceted and could be affected by various social, economic, and environmental factors. Some possible reasons include poverty, unemployment, lack of education and skills training, and homelessness. (Lasco, 2018; Bachman, Rodriguez, Kerrison, & Leon, 2021). It is crucial to conduct a detailed analysis to understand the specific factors contributing to this issue to develop targeted and effective responses.
Analysis
The second step is to analyze the information gathered, identifying the underlying causes. First, evaluate factors such as a lack of law enforcement and community resources for drug treatment and rehabilitation. Second, examine other contributing factors such as poverty, homelessness, and low employment opportunities. Third, the main patterns and trends must be extracted from the data. For example, are the incidents of drug use and prostitution more prevalent at certain times of the day or week, or are they concentrated in specific areas of the truck stop? This additional information can help improve response in the next step of the SARA model.
Response
After thorough scanning and analysis, improving the response model and specifying the measures applied will be possible. However, in order to start acting promptly, it is possible to involve the existing experience of policy-makers and researchers to address the problem of drug use and prostitution at the truck stop. According to Benoit et al. (2019), “simply relocating a problem does not necessarily resolve it,” therefore, making multiple parking spaces and adding cameras and patrols will not fully resolve the issue. A solution strategy should be based on evidence-based practices and interventions.
Combining evidence-based practices and interventions can improve the social situation and lower crime activities. First, the comprehensive harm reduction approach could be implemented, which suggests developing local health, social, and economic support for marginalized communities (Lasco, 2018). Second, a trauma-informed approach is needed, which recognizes these issues’ interconnection and supports women’s transition out of the sex trade (Bachman et al., 2021). This can be achieved by providing housing, employment, and health services. Third, the “end demand” approach effectively reduces the demand for prostitution and drug (Benoit et al., 2019). It targets the buyers rather than the sellers and aims to reduce demand through enforcement and public education efforts. Fourth, community-oriented policing strategies can be utilized to involve the community in problem-solving and increase collaboration between police and residents (Skogan et al., 2019). This can include community meetings, crime prevention through environmental design, and partnerships with local businesses and service providers to address the problem.
Assessment
The assessment should determine whether the solution has successfully addressed the problem and reduced instances of drug use and prostitution. This can be done through regular monitoring and collecting data to measure the impact of the response. Methods that can be used include surveys, observation, and analysis of crime data. The surveys can be conducted among parents, truck drivers, and the surrounding community. Patrol officers can conduct observation to observe the instances of drug use and prostitution and measure any changes over time. Based on the findings of the assessment, modifications to the response can be made to improve its effectiveness and continue to address the problem at hand. The assessment should be an ongoing process to ensure that the problem is continually being monitored and addressed in the most effective manner possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the problem of drug use and prostitution at the truck stop near the major highway has been a source of concern for local parents and children. To address this issue, a problem-oriented policing approach was taken, and the SARA Model was applied. The analysis and response steps involved gathering information from relevant research studies, such as Lasco (2018), Bachman et al. (2021), Benoit et al. (2019), and Skogan et al. (2019). Based on this information, a solution strategy was developed to address the root causes of the problem. Hopefully, these efforts will result in a safer and more enjoyable environment for parents and children visiting the area.
References
Bachman, R., Rodriguez, S., Kerrison, E. M., & Leon, C. (2021). The recursive relationship between substance abuse, prostitution, and incarceration: Voices from a long-term cohort of women. In Quitting the Sex Trade (pp. 55-73). Routledge.
Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Healey, P., & Magnuson, D. (2019). “The prostitution problem”: Claims, evidence, and policy outcomes. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48, 1905-1923. Web.
Lasco, G. (2018). Call boys: Drug use and sex work among marginalized young men in a Philippine Port Community. Contemporary Drug Problems, 45(1), 33-46. Web.
Skogan, W. G., Hartnett, S. M., Comey, J. T., Dubois, J., & Kaiser, M. (2019). On the beat: Police and community problem-solving. Routledge.
The SARA model. Criminal Justice Know How. (2020). Web.