ABSTRACT
Cycles of activities have tremendous influences on problems. The ebb and flow of vehicles caused by commuting and shopping rhythms, for example, changes the number of targets and guardians in parking facilities. This in turn influences when vehicle thefts and break-ins are most frequent. Robberies of intoxicated revellers may be more likely around pub closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, because the number of targets is higher. In this example, two important rhythms concentrate problem activities. The first is the workday/weekend cycle that makes Friday and Saturday nights so popular for entertainment and recreation. The second involves the daily cycle of opening and closing of drinking establishments. In this step we will discuss short-term fluctuations occurring over hours and days. In Step 24, we will look at longer time periods covering months and years.
