One of the goals of crime prevention is to?

Focusing on making citizens aware that many crimes are easily prevented is critical to effective crime prevention strategies. Empowering the community with knowledge about preventive measures fosters a sense of involvement and responsibility among residents. When people understand that proactive measures—such as securing homes, reporting suspicious activities, and utilizing community resources—can significantly decrease the likelihood of crime, they are more likely to engage in behaviors that contribute to overall safety. This awareness can motivate citizens to take actionable steps that detour criminal activity and enhance community vigilance, ultimately leading to a more secure environment.

In contrast, concentrating attention on the criminal rather than the crime does not effectively address prevention, as it promotes a reactive rather than proactive approach. Assisting agencies in accurately tracking crime is important for understanding crime patterns but does not directly engage the community in crime prevention efforts. Increasing penalties for offenders may deter some individuals, but it does not fundamentally contribute to preventing crimes from occurring in the first place. Therefore, raising awareness about prevention measures directly aligns with the goals of crime prevention.