Which practice is most directly linked to deterring crime, according to the text?

• A. The presence of patrols
• B. The number of arrests
• C. The police budget size
• D. The speed of vehicles

Answer: (A)

Visible, constant patrols deter crime because they heighten the public’s perception of being watched and caught. When people believe there is a real chance of being observed and stopped, the risk of punishment rises at the moment a crime might be considered, making it less appealing to proceed. This aligns with deterrence ideas that the certainty of detection is more influential than the severity of punishment. A larger police budget helps with resources but doesn’t by itself create that immediate, in-the-moment deterrent presence. Similarly, faster driving or more arrests after the fact don’t deter someone before the act as effectively as seeing officers patrolling the streets. So the direct link to deterring crime is the visible presence of patrols.