ABSTRACT
A second, more minor strand of critique stems from the interaction between certain forms of transgressive behaviour and the formalised conception of ‘deterrence’. Again, it is instructive to revisit Ulrich Beck’s work on the growth of non-judgmental, non-reductive forms of ‘risk management’ and his argument that, in many instances, the very steps taken in a bid to stave off (or more accurately ‘manage’) risk serve only to produce new risks or exacerbate older ones. Correspondingly, certain SCP strategies aimed at reducing crime actually have the opposite effect. For example, for many urban criminals involved in expressive forms of transgression, the greater the risk, the greater the excitement. What this means in effect is that certain crime prevention measures actually add to the thrill of crime, as the ‘game’ takes on an even greater risk. For example, ‘twockers’ often view speed cameras as a challenge, while illegal ‘BASE jumpers’,52 graffiti artists, skateboarders, train surfers, ‘free runners’53 and other urban-adventurer criminals all admit to being drawn to the very signs erected to deter their activities. Moreover, crime preventionists must by now be cognisant of the fact that eluding CCTV cameras or police observation actually adds to the excitement of the crime. Simply putting on a hooded jacket or balaclava can be an extremely effective precaution against CCTV surveillance – just ask any football hooligan or anti-capitalist rioter:54
And so we fall into a trap. Because we ignore the sensuality of crime, we believe that law and order politics can lower crime. We oppose the interactionism of crime with the claims of rational deterrence. But how can adding to the thrill of crime – since the games take on an even greater risk (and even greater buzz of adrenaline) – reduce crime? We turn from the shady study of crime to study the offender but do not study him in his interaction ... (Morrison 1995: 378)
Spaces of consumption and pleasure To increase their capacity for consumption, consumers must never be given rest. They need to be constantly exposed to new temptations in order to be kept in a state of constantly seething, never wilting excitation and indeed, in a state of suspicion and disaffection. The baits commanding them to shift attention need to confirm such suspicion while offering a way out of disaffection: ‘you reckon you’ve seen it all? You ain’t seen nothing yet.’ (Bauman 1998: 26)
52 BASE is an acronym of ‘building, antenna, span (bridge) and earth (cliffs)’ (see Ferrell et al 2001).
