Chasing Quote by John Longenecker
“The community does not fight crime well by chasing it; after-the-fact, crime has won and the target of violence is injured or worse. Crime is fought best not by chasing it, but by facing it before it can become a completed act. Crime is fought best at the scene of the violence.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Crime Prevention Lecture, unknown venue, 2000s
Effective crime prevention requires proactive engagement at the moment of potential violence rather than reactive pursuit after the fact.
In simple terms: Stop crime before it happens.
Key Takeaway
Act before crime occurs.
Themes
prevention
proactivity
public safety
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- neighborhood patrols
- school safety programs
- event security
- conflict de‑escalation
Key Concepts
situational awareness
deterrence
community policing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities identify early signs of violence?
- What resources enable immediate intervention?
A Different Perspective
Reactive measures often miss the opportunity to deter the act entirely.
