What approach involves directing line officers to patrol high crime areas?

The approach that involves directing line officers to patrol high crime areas is known as directed patrol. This method focuses on the strategic allocation of police resources to specific locations where crime is more likely to occur or has been identified as a problem area. By concentrating efforts in these areas, law enforcement aims to deter potential criminal activity, increase the visibility of police presence, and enhance community safety.

Directed patrol often involves analysis of crime data to identify patterns or hotspots. As a result, law enforcement agencies can deploy officers in a manner that is proactive, responding to the needs of the community rather than merely being reactive to incidents as they happen. This tactic can lead to a more efficient use of police resources and a greater impact on reducing crime rates in targeted areas.

In contrast, problem-oriented policing emphasizes identifying and addressing specific problems that contribute to crime, community policing focuses on building relationships and collaboration between police and the community, and random patrol involves officers patrolling areas without a specific focus or target, which may not be as effective in reducing crime in high-risk zones.