Which patrol approach involves sending a high density of officers to a specific area to deter crime?

• A. Saturation patrol
• B. Unsystematic patrol
• C. Blending
• D. Split-force patrol

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is the impact of concentrating police resources in a single area to deter crime. When a large number of officers are deployed to a defined location for a period of time, the area becomes highly visible and the perceived risk of being caught increases for anyone contemplating criminal activity. This high-density presence disrupts opportunities for crime, allows faster responses to incidents, and reassures the community, which together reduce crime through deterrence.

This differs from other patrol styles. Unsystematic patrol is irregular and lacks a planned, intensive presence in one area. Blending involves officers concealing their presence or blending into crowds rather than standing out in high numbers in one spot. Split-force patrol divides resources to cover multiple areas, rather than concentrating them in a single hotspot for deterrence.