Crime as Pollution? Theoretical, Definitional and Policy Concerns with Conceptualizing Crime as Pollution

Algorithmic Pollution: Understanding and Responding to Negative Consequences of Algorithmic Decision-Making

“…Drawing on Lynch and colleagues [31], we note that the pollution literature distinguishes between an 'end-pipe' (e.g., a factory chimney) and the process that generates the pollution (e.g., a manufacturing process). Further, end-pipes are a stationary source of pollution, while pollution itself is mobile and it is not always possible to know the source of pollution from monitoring the environment.…”

“…It would be hard to argue that electricity is not a good thing, but if its generation causes pollution in the form of global warming then remedial action and regulation are needed. We note that using the concept of pollution as a framing device is not new: for example, there has been research defining crime as pollution (CAP) [31].…”

“…While our definition of algorithmic pollution accords with the view of pollution as harms suffered by living organisms caused by exposure to pollutants [31], the scientific definition of pollution is concerned with the presence of chemicals in the environment at a concentration above their normal background level that perturb the environment in a way that is harmful [34]. Harrison [34] also points out that not all instances of pollution involve the addition of chemicals to the environment; pollution can also be caused by adding to naturally occurring phenomena, such as light and noise.…”

The Falling Carbon Footprint of Acquisitive and Violent Offences

“…Viewing crime as pollution could potentially ensure environmental controls in the same way that polluters pay for other types of pollution to the environment (such as chemicals or wastes released into the atmosphere or into waterways). This idea, however, has also been challenged, as others argue that environmental controls have failed in many areas and so to suggest that crime could be dealt with in this way may be optimistic at best (Lynch et al 2015). As part of this challenge, Lynch et al (2015) also indicate that the scientific definition of pollution cannot be applied to crime in the same way as other pollutants.…”

“…This idea, however, has also been challenged, as others argue that environmental controls have failed in many areas and so to suggest that crime could be dealt with in this way may be optimistic at best (Lynch et al 2015). As part of this challenge, Lynch et al (2015) also indicate that the scientific definition of pollution cannot be applied to crime in the same way as other pollutants. They assert that for crime to be considered pollution, issues such as the background level of crime must be defined to ascertain when the level of crime exceeds its 'natural' state, something which has not yet been adequately addressed.…”