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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation • JUNE 1995

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AHO 10 fS!i3: rr • June 1995 Volume 64 Number 6

United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investig«tion Washington, DC 20535 Features Louis J. Freeh Director

Contributors' opinions and statements should not be prevention programs and considered as an _~nDlviolence on Campus collaborative efforts with local law endorsement for any policy, a oJ I By W. David Nichols program, or service by ihe I J enforcement are strategies that help to FBI. create a safe campus environment.

The Attorney General has Home Invasion A new breed of violent criminals targets determined that the homeowners and poses a serious publication of this periodical ?~1 f) By James T. Hurley is necessary in the / 3 challenge to law enforcement. transaction of the public II business required by law. Use of funds for printing this periodical has been Dispatcher Training Civilianization, civil liability concerns, and approved by the Director of increasingly complex technology have the Office of Management j S-S-7D '-f By Kathy M. Sheehan prompted advances in dispatcher training. and Budget.

The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (ISSN·0014-5688) Police Ethics Training The Huntsville, Alabama, Police is published monthly by the Department demonstrates that police Federal Bureau of - '7 :J' By Tim R. Jones, ethics can and should be taught to all • Investigation, 10th and I ~;,) D Compton Owens, police officers, regardless of rank or Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., experience level. Washington, D.C. 20535. and Meiissa A. Smith Second-Class postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address Freedom of Religion and law Recent court decisions have examined changes to FBI Law conflicts between legitimate law Enforcement Bulie/in, Enforcement Employment enforcement interests and employee Federal Bureau of religious conduct in the workplace. Investigation, FBI Academy, I ~~1 () to By Daniel L. Schofield Quantico, VA 22135.

Ed/,'or Stephen D. G:'ldis, Ph.D. Departments Managing -t;ditor \: Kathryn E. Sulewski Art Director John E. Ott 6 Focus on Cooperation 20 Bulletin Rer-·+<> Associate Editors Andrew DiRosa ~S'7f)a Fugitive Ar,;'rehension Gang Proset.~ Julie R. L1nkins I Task Force Gang SUPf.., ",,,,,,,on Kimberly J. Waggoner Criminal Justice Videotapes Staff Assistant 8 Bulletin Alert Stephanie L Lowe Shifty Suspect 27 Book Review Cover photo@ Policing Transportation Peter Hendrie, Tribute 14 Research Forum Facilities lAD LEST Sourcebook • ISSN 0014-5688 USPS 383-310 155701- 155702 U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice

This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighteo material has been granted by EEl Iaw Errfo±.cernent Bu1-1etin

to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permission 01 the copyright owner. • Violent Crime Hits Home Home Invasion Robbery By JAMES T. HURLEY, M.S. •

n a sunny February after­ eye socket. The offenders then ran­ fundamental principles. For resi­ noon in 1991, in an up­ sacked the residence at their leisure, dents of South Florida who have wit­ O scale section of Fort taking several expensive items, as nessed the slow unraveling of once­ Lauderdale, Florida, a 75-year-old well as some with great sentimental placid communities, violent crime retiree was working alone in his value. now truly hits home. garage. Through the open garage While such an attack would be door, the man noticed a car drive viewed as an anomaly in many parts HOME INVASION ROBBERY slowly by the house, but he soon of the country-even in jurisdictions Within the criminaljustice com­ refocused his attention on the pro­ accustomed to brutal -vio­ munity, considerable confusion still ject at his workbench. lent attacks on homeowners are fast­ surrounds this relatively new crime Moments later, someone struck becoming a frightening and all-too­ phenomenon. to introduce him on the back of the head with a tire common fact oflife in South Florida. the concept of home invasion rob­ iron and left him unconscious and Home invasion robbery (HIR) repre­ bery into the bureaucratic main­ bleeding on the garage floor. His sents an especially troubling crime stream of the criminal justice sys­ attackers entered the house through trend and a formidable challenge to tem have failed to clarify the issue, the garage and found his wife sleep­ law enforcement. primarily because of inevitable ing on the couch. Using a cellular Many homeowners view this comparisons to the crime of bur­ phone as a weapon, they severely Clime as something even more­ glary. This confusion often com­ beat her, fracturing her jawbone and a personal attack on sacred and promises statistical analyses and

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makes historical data collection courts must first understand the ele­ homeowners' whereabouts causes • nearly impossible because many in­ ments that distinguish it from other additional anxiety. is, for cider..ts of HIR routinely are offenses. the most part, a stealth crime that misclassified as . depends on opportunity. While home invaders commit the Contrasting Criminal Profiles In contrast, confrontation gener­ secondary offense of burglary, it is In most cases, residential bur­ ally is considered the key in important that investigators and the glars att~mpt to avoid confronting home invasion . Home in­ courts recognize the unique criminal victims. They tend to probe carefully vaders prefer to make direct entry profile that clearly distinguishes and to make covert entry at the side into a targeted residence. In fact, the home invaders from other offenders. or rear of a residence, using available entry is often dynamic-relying on When a homeowner discovers a bur­ cover. Burglars generally prefer to sheer force, false pretense, or various glar inside the residence and the bur­ work alone, and most target unoccu­ forms of impersonation. The vio­ glar then uses the opportunity to rob pied dwellings. Most incidents of lence associated with home invasion the resident, the offense should not burglary do not result in violence, robbery generally occurs during the be considered a home invasion rob­ even when the burglar is discovered. initial confrontation with victims, in bery. As a rule, the totality of the When violence does occur, it often order to establish control quickly and circumstances should be examined results from the offender's frantic to limit the likelihood oflater identi­ to pinpoint the offenders' specific to escape. fication by the victims. However, criminal intent. Burglars wear dark clothing and mOllnting suggests that In other words, rather than fo­ gloves and carry prying tools. In many home invaders enjoy the in­ cusing on the end result, investiga­ addition, burglars must deal with a timidation, domination, and violence tors should attempt to determine multitude of potential threats, such of the offense. what the offenders had 111 mind prior as increasingly sophisticated alarm Unlike the majority of burglars, to the offense. To address home inva­ systems, metal bars on duors and home invaders carry items that sion robbery adequately, legisla­ windows, guard dogs, and neighbor­ connote control and confTontation, tures, law enforcement, and the hood watch groups . Not knowing the such as firearms, handcuffs, masks, • and tape. Because the threat level inside a residence rarely is known in advance, the offense almost al­ ways is committed b:r more than one offender. These offenders often develop well-organized plans and Home invaders divide specific tasks among them­ "usually target the selves. One or more of the home resident, not the invaders usually control the victims residence. while the other offenders systema­ tically ransack the residence. Home invaders usually target the resident, not the residence. They " may make their selection in a varie­ ty of ways, often choosing women, senior citizens, or drug dealers. Moreover, home invasion rob­ Captain Hurley serves With the Fort bery provides offenders with many Lauderdale, Florida, Police Department. criminal advantages. First, they are able to alter their plans in a moment

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• if they sense that conditions are not Although this type of turf war­ vicious predators have introduced right at the point of confrontation. fare still occurs, it has been reduced vmiations to established methods of Rather than suspiciously probing effectively by innovative law en­ operation. Opportunistic offenders around a residence, they can pull forcement initiatives, such as the often gain entry into a residence their vehicle into the driveway as if Street Terror Offender Program. through an open gm'age door. Fol­ they belong there. This simple tactic This joint Metro-Dade CountylBu­ lowing a victim home from a nearby often causes potential witnesses to reau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire­ shopping center also has become a look the other way, unaware that arms initiative targets criminals popular method of selection. In most their neighbors are in peril. reckless and greedy enough to raid a cases, however, the victim simply is Home invaders do not have to guarded stash house. 1 duped into opening the door to the overcome residential home invader through any alarm systems, because number of ruses. most systems will not be Home invasion activated while the resi­ groups may be organized dence is occupied. Fur­ street gangs, whosemem­ ther, once offenders take bers may be racially control of a residence, mixed and who often they can force victims to use drugs. Homogeneous open safes, locate hidden groups tend to target vic­ valuables, and provide tims of similar ethnic and additional information, as cultural backgrounds. needed. And, because The groups almost al­ they generally leave vic­ ways are highly mobile, tims bound or incapaci­ often extending their tated, offenders can rely crime sprees :nto several • on an ample period of jurisdictions. time to escape from the crime scene. Contributing Fac.tors The growth of HIR The Evolution in South Florida might be ofHIR explained best within the Although home inva­ context of several con­ sion robbery is consid­ tributing factors. Ironi- ered by many to be a new cally, the most obvious is crime, its roots actually trace back to Unfortunately, the very violent the development of enhanced tech­ South Florida's notorious "cocaine and confrontational modus operandi nology to combat robbery and cowboys" of the late 1970s and early of drug dealers have been copied by in traditional target areas, such as 1980s. These drug bandits viewed other criminals. As a result, the most convenience stores, gas stations, res- HIR as an effective method to obtain frequently targeted victims now are taurants, and banks. . large amounts of cash and drugs innocent residents who have no con­ For example, the "stop and rob" from rival dealers. Not surprisingly, nection to the drug culture. In fact, philosophy that greeted the birth of the rate soared as drug deal­ many law-abiding citizens suffer the the chain convenience store indus­ ers took turns robbing and murdering stigma of suspicion after being vic­ try eventually led to the creation of one another, while enabling a steady timized by home invaders. many target-hardening and envi­ stream of minor players to enter the During the past decade, HIR ronmental design features to pre­ major leagues. has grown more commonplace, as vent theft. Business owners now I

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use surveillance cameras, police fre­ • Home Invasion Cases quency alarms, electronic-tracking devices, cash control measures and The following cases illustrate some of the tactics employed drop safes, no-contact enclosures, by home invaders to enter residences and subdue victims. special store design, and ~nhanced lighting to deter store robberies. As a • A 59-year-old man opened his front door to two armed result, the frequency of convenience offenders wearing masks. The offenders forced their store robberies has declined consid­ way through the front door and demanded cash at erably in recent years. Other tradi­ gunpoint. They pistol-whipped the victim and bound tional targets have borrowed many him with tape before leaving. ofthese measures and are developing their own unique methods tp combat o Four armed suspects entered a party through an un­ locked door. The offenders forced the victims to lie on robbery and theft. the floor while they gathered cash and jewelry. During While these developments cer­ tainly are positive, they create unin­ the robbery, the offenders pistol whipped one of the tended negative consequences. As victims and fIred several rounds. traditional targets of opportunity • Twc young men knocked on a woman's door to say that harden themselves against robbery, they had struck her parked car accidentally. When she potential thieves must explore other opened the door, the youths produced handguns and alternatives. rushed inside. Before leaving with cash and jewelry, In this way, the rise of home they handcuffed her wrists and ankles, covered her head invasion robbery closely parallels with a pillowcase, poured cooking oil over her, and the emergence of caljacking as a threatened to set her on fIre. ruthless but effective way to over­ • An elderly couple opened their front door to find a man come technological ball·iers. For ba­ claiming to represent the local gas company. Not sically the same reason, home inva­ • believing the man's story, the couple asked him to leave. sion robbery soon may become an However, two additional offenders appeared at the door attractive alternative to robbing and easily forced their way inside. They made the convenience stores and gas stations. victims lie on the floor in separate rooms. The husband For criminals, the act is viewed as a was then forced to reveal the location of cash, jewelry, means to an end. and other valuables, while being told that his wife would Meanwhile, violent career crim­ be killed if he did not cooperate. inals, having learned the lessons of technology, know the threat posed to • A man carrying flowers convinced a woman to open her them by surveillance cameras, silent front door. Once inside, the "delivery man" produced a alarms, and other antitheft mea­ handgun and threw the victim to the floor. The offender sures. Desperate to avoid additional then found her husband in the bedroom and handcuffed charges, many such offenders them both. He left them handcuffed in the bathroom after taking cash and jewelry. look for easier targets. HIR provides a relatively simple alternative to rob­ • Two suspects knocked on a victim's door, produced a bing traditional-and increasingly firearm, and demanded money or drugs. They forced the more impregnable-targets. These victim to the floor while claiming to be police officers. criminals also understand that the They fled after ransacking the house. of their victims and other violent aspects of home inva­ sion robbery effectively reduce the risk of being caught. .: '.,' .~.• :' .'".,', ""'.' • ',' ',': .••.. ,. ,;-", ","4, :.~:~"

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• ADDRESSING THE strong message to criminals that version of the law, which went into PROBLEM home invasion crimes would not be effect on July 1, 1993, makes HIR a treated lightly by the criminal justice first-degree felony, even when no Educating the Public system. Based on the principle that weapon is used. It also provides for Currently, the most effective citizens have a fundamental right to relatively stiff penalties. Perhaps preemptive weapon available be free from fear of attack while in more important, however, the law against home invasion robbery is their .own homes, the legislative pro­ helped crystalize the concept ofHIR education. In communities where posal gained quick local approval. within the criminal justice commu­ HIR emerges as an identifiable trend, As punishment for violent residential nity. For this reason alone, it repre­ citizens should be informed about invasion, the proposed law sought to sents an important step in the coun­ this new threat to their safety. deny parole, basic gain time, control teroffensive against home invasion In addition to addressing the is­ release, and provisional release cred­ robbery. sue during regular commumity crime its, while allowing complete judicial watch meetings and civic gatherings, discretion in sentencing. CONCLUSION law enforcement agencies should During the past decade, the rate consider using televised public of violent crime committed in areas safety announcements to alert resi­ traditionally considered safe havens dents. Because home invaders often has risen dramatically. Increasing pose as utility or other service work­ .. ~ confrontation violence in occupational settings and ers, citizens should be advised to " generally is schools and on America's roadways verify the identity of anyone corning considered the key has a disproportionate effect in erod­ to their door before allowing them element in home ing the public's sense of safety. inside. invasion robberies. Many in South Florida view home At the same time, the police invasion robbery as an attack on the should avoid creating an atmosphere last available to law-abiding of panic. Despite the growing popu­ citizens. • larity of home invasion robbery, it Home invasion robbery also rep­ still represents a minute portion of all To promote support for the pro­ resents a formidable challenge to the reported robberies in most South posal, the p:Jlice department" pro­ criminal justice system. As a distinct Floridajurisdictions. duced a 12-minute video and distrib­ offense that combines elements of Additionally, a small group of uted it to more than 150 crime breaking and entering, robbery, and offenders often commits a majority prevention detectives at a State crime aggravated , HIR should not of the HIR incidents in any given prevention conference. The depart­ be confused with other crimes. area. This fact underscores the need ment also sent 5,000 informational To address home invasion rob­ for a comprehensive response on pamphlets to legislators and bery adequately, investigators, pros­ the part of the criminal justice sys­ homeowners' groups throughout the ecutors, and the courts must first tem. By enacting effective statutes State of Florida. This accomplished recognize the factors that distinguish directed specifically at home inva­ the dual function of providing practi­ it from other offenses. Understand­ sion robbery, legislators can provide cal information to the public con­ ing the problem marks the first step law enforcement with a powerful cerning home invasionrobbery while to finding effective responses ... weapon to protect communities from building support for the legislative repeat offenders. proposal. Endnote Despite broad popular support "StreetTerror Offender Program," presented Legislation and the endorsement of the law en­ at an Eastern Armed Robbery Conference. May forcement community, the measure 21,1992, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by Sgt. T. In 1991, the Fort Lauderdale Palmer, Mr.tTo-Dade, Florida, Police Department Police Department began promoting weakened somewhat during the and Special Agent G. Wallace, Bureau of a new State law designed to send a legislative process. Still, the final Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

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