Breaking and Entering: Burglars on Burglary [Paperback]

Paul F. Cromwell (Author), James N. Olson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0534623859 | ISBN-13: 978-0534623852 | Edition: 1

This is the first textbook available from the Wadsworth Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice Series about burglars--why they do what they do, how they do it, and what the general public can do to protect themselves. The authors analyze the decision-making processes employed by burglars and discuss what rational processes are used when contemplating burglary. How do residential burglars select their targets? What environmental factors are used as discriminative cues in target selection? What marketing strategies and outlets do burglars use to fence their stolen goods? Cromwell and Olson also look at the desistance process to help students understand circumstances that may lead offenders to end their criminal activities.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Paul F. Cromwell is Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of the School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University. He is the author and editor of over 16 books and 35 articles and book chapters. Dr. Cromwell's experience in the criminal justice system includes working as a U.S. probation and parole officer, chief juvenile probation officer, and commissioner and chairman of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (November 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534623859
• ISBN-13: 978-0534623852
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facinating Sociological Study, February 16, 2006

By 

C. J. Schaps "Cultural Enthusiast" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking and Entering: Burglars on Burglary (Paperback)

This book is the result of a fascinating study by Cromwell and Olson about what makes burglars tick. To conduct the study, the authors did not just look at statistics or talk to police. Instead, they interviewed actual active burglars in a medium sized Texas city. They asked the burglars how long they had been working, why they started, how they chose a target, what they stole, and how they stole it.

What they found was fascinating. The book gives information on who burglars are, what they steal, and how not to become a target.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crime Prevention, July 11, 2007

By 

Derrick R. Crews "Derrick Crews" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking and Entering: Burglars on Burglary (Paperback)

As a law enforcement officer that deals with preventing crime, I enjoyed reading the book. It offered good insight into the process of how criminals "see" a house and what factors go into selecting a home to break into.

This is one of many sources of information that would be helpful if you were speaking to a community watch group.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars, May 31, 2008

By 

S. Robinson "Mapalicious" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking and Entering: Burglars on Burglary (Paperback)

I have been a Crime Analyst for a year and a half now, and I am constantly searching for material to help me improve. I am so glad that I found "Breaking and Entering". After reading it, I find myself digging deeper when analyzing ALL crime. I am now slower...but the quality of my work is better. I carry this book with me to work everyday. I think this should be required reading for all Crime Analyst.