Saturday, May 28, 2022, 7:51 AM

NORMANDY PARK, WA / MAY 28, 2022 / Daniel Pugel spent years training colleagues in law enforcement. One of his assignments was coordinating  Crime Prevention Programs for the City of Los Angeles, and he received a Supervisory Peace Officer Standards & Training certificate from the State of California. Pugel recently shared some top crime prevention techniques for small towns and cities.

“We teach only evidence-based crime prevention strategies, so these aren’t just ideas individuals came up with and started teaching,” Pugel said. “These strategies have been well researched for their positive effects on small communities.”

Taking Advantage of Technology

Pugel explained that a positive of policing in the modern era is technology and social media. However, many small towns remain reluctant to use it to their advantage. Pugel also explained evidence shows that technology like crime analysis systems, smartphones, and other mobile digital devices help prevent crime in some areas proactively.

Technology helps law enforcement locate repeat offenders and identify hot spots for crime. This leads to fewer repeat offenders on the street and superior enforcement in hot crime areas. 

Problem-Oriented Police (POP) Strategies

Daniel Pugel explained that the goal is to prevent crimes from happening — not to react once they occur. He described problem-oriented policing (POP) as a problem-solving process in which numerous agencies, community members, and service providers work together. 

Common activities within this strategy include environmental design, situational crime prevention, and analysis of repeat offenders. A significant goal is to alter the environment to reduce opportunities to commit a crime, such as installing fences, installing superior locks, lighting outdoor areas, and installing security cameras. These are strategies that anyone can enforce, from law enforcement down to individuals protecting their homes and properties. 

Deflecting Repeat Offenders

Pugel explained a critical problem in small towns and cities is the recurrence of repeat offenders. He stated that one of the best ways to prevent first-time and recurring offenses is to deflect the attention of these individuals. This could be through drug rehab programs or youth diversionary schemes developed with other agencies.

“Communities need to work together with law enforcement to combat crime,” Pugel said. “More agencies working toward a common goal means problems get solved much faster.”

Daniel Pugel and Law Enforcement

Pugel is a retired law enforcement Sergeant with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement teaching. He earned his law enforcement teaching credentials from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Master of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He served as a guest lecturer on crime prevention at the National Police Staff College, Bramshill, England.