SmartWater CSI and the Importance of Deterrence Props in Decreasing Property Crimes
Gadgets and gizmos of technology have consistently been a part of the “crime stoppers” modus operandi. We have seen alarm systems come and go, and video cameras and phone applications that can be used to check up on your home and the babysitter, among others. This is under the labored belief that people will stop burglarizing your home if they think there is a greater chance that they will be caught. This has had an interesting effect on the numbers of home robberies over the last couple of decades.
Florida’s Police Agencies’ Move to Incorporate SmartWater CSI
Recently, in Florida, a little more than twenty police agencies have begun to use the newest product in a line of crime stopping tools, known as SmartWater CSI, which is a liquid that is sprayed on intruders, robbers, and property to aid in capturing thieves and returning stolen possessions. The liquid, which glows when exposed to ultraviolet light, can remain on people for weeks and on stolen property for years.
The Good and Bad of SmartWater CSI Technology
The SmartWater CSI technology has garnered mixed reviews as to its efficacy. Almost a dozen police agencies have demonstrated that property crimes in neighborhoods where people are actually using SmartWater CSI have dropped by about 70 to 83 percent. However, the SmartWater CSI has not led to an arrest of a single robber. The theory is that the liquid may be best as a deterrent and a crime stopper rather than a tool with which to arrest a thief for his part in a robbery. In many areas around Florida, property that is sprayed with SmartWater has yet to be found; in other areas, the property may be found but they have yet to be reunited with the owners who lost them in the first place.
The liquid itself has been around since the 1990s when a retired detective and chemist invented SmartWater CSI in London. The liquid comes in special water kits that have identification numbers associated with the kit in hopes that if stolen possessions are recovered, they can eventually cross-examine the liquid on the property with the owner’s kit. The liquid was brought to the United States in 2013 as part of a trial run that took place in Florida. Through data collected over the last few years, the deterrent value of SmartWater comes more in the signs and stickers outside the homes rather than the actual use of the liquid itself.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
Property crimes can have serious punishments associated. If you or a loved one has been arrested for property crimes, it is important to speak with an experienced defense attorney like Kevin J. Kulik. Contact Kevin J. Kulik today for a free and confidential consultation in the Fort Lauderdale area.
