Community

EDWARD DE BONO CREATIVE TEAM^TM - CRIME SOLUTIONS

The following are the submissions to the problem set in respect of Crime solutions and Prevention after Edward de Bono's visit to South Africa.

The subscribers were the following:
Mark Harrigan, Martin Solloway, Andrew Waite, Jon Jonas, Raif Oymen, Phil Bachmann, Paul Scott, Noa Davenport, Jukka, Kukkonen, Bernie Perry, Jim Duthoit, George Wade, Caspar de Bono

The submissions to which awards have been given are shown in blue together with comments.

B0000210
Find ways to make being law abiding more attractive.
Create personal money (a la travellers cheques).
Examine the statute books and decriminalise all "victimless" crimes (especially narcotic use and possession).
Introduce the Six Hats System to all criminal trials and hearings (and teach the system to "criminals")
Set up a lecture system for reformed hardened criminals to visit schools in disadvantaged areas to discourage starting down the criminal path.
Focus on increasing self-estemm of criminals.
PO: shoot anyone suspected of a crime - movement idea of ritual death - re-birth for serious criminals.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

C0000211
'Positive Action Tokens' Scheme.
Some crime is for commercial reasons - people stealing things to sell. In this case it is important to identify not only how to prevent individual cases of theft, but to take away the underlying reason for it. One possible way to kill two birds with one stone would be to introduce some form of 'Positive Action Tokens' scheme. This would make it more commercially viable for a young man to tell an old lady that she has a broken window catch and fix it for her, rather than use the knowledge to get into her house and rob her. The scheme could be linked to college scholarships, access to recreational facilities, or reduced probation for those who have already been in trouble.
If the rewards for making a positive contribution to the community are made tangible by the use of 'Positive Action Tokens', and the scheme is presented as 'cool' and 'trendy' by the use of popular rock musicians and sportsmen, that should help to reduce a lot of the opportunist crime. It could also help to change the image of the police from "The people who punish us" to "The people who reward us". For example young people can help crime prevention officers and neigbourhood watch leaders identify likely targets for crime and be rewarded for their efforts. They could also add to the efficiency of store security by actively preventing other people from shop-lifting - - - the same applies to graffiti, vandalism and stealing from vehicles. Given a positive incentive to get involved on the side of the police and community, rather than against them, who better to stop crime than the people who currently produce most of it.
Of course the 'Positive Action Scheme' should not just be about preventing crime. It can reward all sorts of positive contributions, such as volunteer work with the elderly and handicapped, cleaning up the parks and waterways, or providing creative ideas for the use of local government and business.

The Positive Action Token Scheme is the beginning of an interesting idea. How do we reward helpful and socially positive behaviour? The scheme might be sponsored by stores which gave discounts etc. The weakness of the idea is that it is not directed specifically at crime reduction though it may have this effect at times.
İMartin Solloway, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

D0000212
The 'Not Like Me' Mentor Scheme
The 'Not Like Me' Mentor Scheme would involve the pairing of ex-criminals and local youngsters. They would be expected to spend a certain amount of time together several evenings each week doing various activities - sport, community help, making a music group, or just having a campfire meal etc.
The idea is that they provide mutual support for each other and keep each other out of trouble. It could be a condition of parole that the man acts as mentor to a local youngster for a period of time. The pairing could be one-to-one, or the man could be responsible for a small group of youngsters.
There could be an element of reward worked into the scheme, so that the participants (men and boys) can earn credits towards job training programmes, college scholarships, or some other tangible reward. However, if any of the youngsters get into trouble during that period, the man will have broken the terms of his parole and be sent back to prison, so he has a vested interest in keeping them on the 'straight and narrow'
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

E0000213
The 'Adopt-a-cop' programme
One of the problems with crime prevention is that there is often a feeling of distrust for the police among young people (which can be reciprocated).
The 'Adopt-a-cop' programe would involve police officers spending time with the community out of uniform. Having dinner at different people's homes, helping with local youth groups, and generally mixing with the people they protect.
Hopefully the experience of knowing a policemen as a friend would make it easier for young people to approach other policemen and lessen the attitude of 'them and us' that is the cause of some kinds of 'frustration-crime' (committed as a way of thumbing a nose at society in general, and the police in particular )
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

F0000214
The Offenders Reward Scheme.
People who have committed assault can come forward and admit to their crime. No conviction is recorded, instead a prize is awarded (limited to say one per year). To collect the prize the offender must supply personal details and be photographed, fingerprinted, and supply a sample (hair, blood) for DNA analysis. The prizes would only apply to less serious cases of assault.
Plus Points
-generates greater quantity and quality of information for identifying future offenders.
-offenders willingly give information that can be used to catch them if they offend in future.
-minor assault becomes more attractive than serious assault to the offender.
-reduces costs of police investigation.
Minus Points.
-could create 'once-a-year' offenders just to collect the prize.
-upfront costs.
-possible civil liberties problems.
-chance of misuse of information.
Interesting Points
-non money prizes may be more attractive (eg leather jackets etc may become a badge of honour to young offenders)
-confessing to an assault and collecting your prize could become an initiation for gangs etc.
-the police may need to be careful as to how much they use the information gained to get convictions for fear of making the real purpose of the system known.
-the system would be most effective against the young and naive, however the information gained will be useful to catch them if they offend any time later in life.
-the data collected could be used for many purposes (eg identifying families in need of support, targetting police resources etc).
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

G0000215
The Assault Lottery
The government sells tickets in the lottery. If a ticket holder in the lottery becomes a victim of assault or other violent crime, and the offender is convicted the victim wins a prize. The size of the prize depends on the seriousness of the crime. Witnesses could also win prizes if their information led to a conviction.
Plus Points
-added incentive to report attacks, provide accurate information to police, and for witnesses to come forward.
-may make assault less traumatic for the victim.
-makes the attack less attractive to the offender because they may actually be doing the victim a favour.
-may attract enough people to make a profit.
-increases the data available to police in their investigations.
-could encourage people to inform on others they know have committed crimes, offenders won't know who they can trust.
Minus Points
-may be open to fraud, ie setting up innocent people. This may require investigation of the alleged victim and witnesses.
-does not prevent assaults, though may reduce the rate over time.
-does not address the issues of why people commit violent crime.
-may have substantial costs involved initially.
-may lead to increased aggresive behaviour as people try to provoke attacks.
Interesting Points
-prizes need not be financial; holidays, goods, cars, etc may be cheaper for the government and more attractive to recipients.
-could generate as much excitement in the community as large lotteries currently do.
-victims could become celebrities due to their winnings.
-may lead to people taking more chances with their personal security to increase their chances of winning.
-having more people on the streets taking more risks in order to win prizes may actually make these areas safer.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

H0000216
Focus on problem of people being attacked as they exit their cars.
1. Tires could be filled with a clinging, extremely foul-smelling gas (like skunk spray) which could be pressurized and then discharged toward attackers, leaving them smelling very bad for a long time. Potential or actual attackers could then be more easily identified by law enforcement and shunned by acquaintances, as a deterrent.
2. Car door handles could be wired to car electrical system. A button on steering wheel could be pushed by the driver to energize/electify the door handles, providing an electrical shock to potential attackers who try to force open car doors.
I developed these 2 ideas by associating cars with doughnuts. A doughnut surrounds a space in the middle. Why not create a "doughnut" of security around the car? Apart from proximity alarms on cars, these 2 ideas would surround the car with a space of potential danger to anyone outside the car.
3. Buildings could be built with valet parking services and guarded porticos, like a drive-through car-wash structure, for entry and exit in a secure environment. This would enhance the safety of the car's occupants when the enter and exit their cars as well as provide employment for some of the people who might otherwise be forced into street crime to subsist.
I developed this idea by thinking of railroad tracks, which go straight into a station (usually covered). This covered portico could create a safe zone for occupants to exit and enter their cars.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

I0000217
An Athenian idea revisited
In any community there are people who are known to the police and community at large to be involved with crime. However, in the current system it is often difficult to catch such people red-handed, so they can get away with their antisocial activities.
In ancient Athens there was a procedure whereby people could nominate unpopular politicians for ostracism. If a given person was chosen for ostracism he had to leave the city for a certain number of years. This idea could be adapted for use in modern crime prevention.
Instead of exile, the people nominated by the community and police for the modern version of ostracism would be brought *into* the heart of the community. They would be kept busy with supervised community activity (possibly linked to some kind of reward scheme) so that they wouldn't have any time or opportunity to commit crime.
This sort of reverse ostracism would have the effect of bringing people into contact with the community in a positive way. It would allow the police and community to invest in the prevention of further crime rather than the more expensive and inefficient process of catching and punishing people for the crimes they have already committed which can often be extremely difficult to prove.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

J0000218
The Babylon Pit
Conventional wisdom suggests that keeping young people away from drugs, alcohol and violent images is a way of reducing crime. However, it is difficult to organize and enforce such ideas. What would happen if we stood that idea on its head and did the exact opposite ?
Imagine if there was a place where young people could go (from 7pm to 7am) where they could indulge in alcohol, loud dance music, consentual sexual activity, and gladiatorial combat - lets call such a place the 'Babylon Pit'. Anyone entering the place would be searched for knives and hard drugs, and no-one would be allowed to leave until 7am the next morning.
Under peer supervision the young people would be able to go wild without interfering with other members of the community. They would have access to medical help, contraception, boxing gloves, weird and wonderful wash-off cosmetics, and counselling (from volunteers such as the Samaritans) if they wanted it.
I suggest that such a place would reduce the crime rate in the community and provide a 'safe' environment for the excesses of youth.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

K0000219
The 'triangle' crime perception scheme
Often the perception of crime is as damaging as the crime itself.
Old women are frightened to go out because they fear being attacked in the street and their homes burgled while they are away. Young women are similarly frightened of intimidation and sexual assault. The number of people who are actually victims of crime is tiny compared to those who live in fear of it happening to them.
The 'triangle' crime perception scheme is a practical three point plan to alleviate the problems caused by the fear of crime.
1. The publishing of accurate local crime statistics by the police. This would show that the majority of violent crime is young men attacking other young men. This should be coupled with a visit by a crime prevention officer to answer any questions and give clear advice and reassurance about personal and household security.
2. Community escorts (men and women) who can walk with people who are scared of walking alone. They could be volunteers or people doing it as a term of their parole.
3. Hourly house-sitters (the same people as above) who can be asked to stay in the house (probably in pairs to keep an eye on each other) while the owner is out.
The result of this scheme should be a reduction in the fear of crime as well as fewer incidents of opportunist crime - both because the vulnerable people and homes will be protected, and the most likely people to commit the crime will be actively involved in its prevention.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

L0000220
Using lust to attack crime.
Most young men are interested in the company of young women. Most opportunist crime is committed by young men. How can these two points be used as a method of preventing crime ?
One possible way to hit criminals where it hurts most would be to give them a bad image that makes them 'uncool' and a turn-off to women. The opposite effect of the 'gangsta rap' image that promotes them as heros and exciting to women.
The use of popular music, television soaps, young women's magazines, and the endorsement of popular actors and sports celebrities, would help to get the message across. "Real men don't steal" and "Criminal = wimp, sissy, loser etc".
If women refuse to go out with men who break the law, it would be a definite advantage in the fight against crime.

Award $500
In my book "Handbook for the Positive Revolution" I suggest that young women had the power to change the values of society through their regard of young men. The idea given here picks up the same theme but on a broader social base where the whole image of crime is made less heroic. It could work if the media, writers etc. were willing to go along with it.
İMartin Solloway, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

N0000222
Game-show Justice
In the past there were several methods of punishment that included a strong element of public humiliation. The stocks and pillory provided a way of heaping the maximum discomfort on people who broke the rules of the community *and* provided a convenient way of allowing justice to be seen to be done to the satisfaction of the community.
The threat of public humiliation could be an effective deterent against the kind of white-collar crimes that are endemic in the culture today - tax evasion, plagerism, abuse of expense accounts, contract semantics by insurance brokers and real estate agents etc.
The modern equivilent of the stocks on the village green would be a live television show - 'Humiliation'.Society ladies and corporate lawyers may be less inclined to 'bend' the law if they knew that the penalty for getting caught would be being rolled naked in custard and horse manure on live television. It could also deter curb-crawlers, libelous tabloid journalists, and the kind of authors who steal other people's ideas.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

O0000223
The fear of revenge as a deterrent to crime There are a lot of things in the law that upset the natural balance of justice within a community. If these things were de-criminalized, they may in fact act as a strong deterrent to other crime. They would no longer protect the criminal from the revenge of his victim.
The right of a householder to kill anyone trespassing on his property would make burglars think very hard before breaking in to a house or office. Similarly, the right of a woman to spray acid in the face of a potential rapist, or a store owner to raid the kitchen of a shoplifter, or a whole community to tar and feather a child molester, would cause criminals to fear the results of criminal behaviour.
These things would help the law become balanced against the criminal and in favour of his victim. They would return the community to the kind of balance that existed before law enforcement was taken out of the hands of the people directly involved and given over to the police and courts. It would bring the letter of the law back in line with the spirit of the law.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

P0000224
Career options for habitual criminals
There are quite a few things that can be done to stop opportunist crime, but it is much harder to tackle the problem of career criminals who use crime as a way of life. These are people (often skilled at what they do) who need some kind of alternative employment to utilize their abilities and energy.
The following suggestions could be ways of using such people in a win-win situation.
1. Provide them with pensions so that they have no need to return to crime.
2. Set them up in business helping the police and other bodies in crime prevention. They can be used to test out methods of stopping criminals.
3. Create some kind of competitive spectator event in which the skills of the criminal can be used creatively for general enjoyment. After all, there are big aggressive men who earn a fortune by using their skill to carry a ball over a line, so why not create similar opportunities for agile and dexterous individuals to similarly cash in on their abilities.
4. Employ them as non-executive directors on the boards of companies to provide creative input - they may have a different perspective from other board members (with the possible exception of lawyers !)
5. Employ them as magistrates. They understand the situation of criminals better than local worthies, so they may be able to judge other criminals more imaginatively and effectively.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

Q0000225
Assumptions
Simplification; Group A: Crime group, Group B: Victimised group
The B pays high premiums to security and insurance firms. Still loose lives but can recover some of the lost property/money.
The "A" must continue to crime activities to be able to survive. No hope for tomorrow and nothing to loose other than their lives (freedom is not much an issue)
While usage of those tools (panic buttons etc) will continue, they have no effect on prevention in general: If everybody gets a few of these tools, the crime will simply climb up one more level and start using better guns, crime methods etc.
Let's suppose we have a solution that can show its effects in 12 months time (its long-term success entirely depends on building a right socio-economic structure):
Solution will be based on changing the money flow from within group B to via group A (basically integrating A). This way it is expected the group "A"s attention would be disrupted and a hope of tomorrow would be implanted.
Less crime could reduce the income of security and insurance companies. So we cannot separate them from solution. In fact, they should be the driving forces.
Set up a business in a way its success is closely connected to low crime levels. Get the gang leaders together and offer them partnerships. Their contribution would be to manage the businesses. Better they manage more they will earn. Partial income of these businesses should go to charities.
What could be the business? Anything that can be popular quickly (something like Soccer).
Establish soccer clubs by carefully choosing the club sites (so that the supporters/players can be from both A and B). Offer greatly reduced ticket prices for low income or unemployed people. Of course it does not mean the entire group "A" would suddenly become "good" citizens or their income will be any better. Just the group image; they would have something (different) to support (conversion of uncontrollable street crime energy to more under control soccer fans who are always in hope that their team will win next time). This would also bring a side product: Gambling which might contribute to the problem in various ways.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

R0000226
Community law enforcement - parish constables
In the days before Robert Peel introduced the idea of a professional police force, the enforcement of law at a local level was the responsibility of a parish constable (assisted by beadles). It may be an idea to examine whether this old system may be revamped to compliment the over-stretched professional police force.
There are, of course, already special constables to assist the regular police. I would suggest a form of compulsory service to supplement and expand this system. All people who live within a certain geographical area would have to perform a regular period of service as a community constable - possibly one day per month. They would work along side regular police officers walking a beat or manning a police box. The number of people involved would justify many more police boxes, so that people could easily run to them for help (within the city) rather than have to wait for a patrol car.
This kind of direct involvement in law enforcement would give people more respect for the police, and make them less likely to commit crime. It would increase the visibility of the police and give less opportunity for criminals.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

S0000227
Zero tolerance and a usable statute book
One of the problems facing the police and courts is that there are simply too many laws that can not be enforced effectively. People get into the habit of breaking certain laws with impunity, so the whole body of law is brought into disrepute.
Victimless crime such as an individual using drugs, or the common practice of breaching copyright by recording music onto cassette, video recording tv films and programmes, copying computer programs for friends, or photocopying passages from printed materials for classroom or office use, all contribute to a climate of casual law breaking.
In certain areas of England the police are experimenting with a policy of zero tolerance - that means acting against every single observed breach of the law. A good idea, but one that is unworkable if the statute book is littered with things that simply cannot be enforced. We need a simple, understandable list of criminal offenses and range of punishments that people can study at school and enforce at a community level.
The concept of a citizens' arrest needs to be more clearly defined, so that when people observe a breach of the law, they feel able to intervene immediately. Then the law will feel like community property, there will be stronger respect for it and the people employed to enforce it. Hopefully this will add up to a reduction in crime.

İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

T0000228
When you live with people who regularly commit crimes it does not make sense for you to tell the police what they are up to. At best they will no longer be your friends. At worst they will be looking for revenge.
The rewards for informing on criminals must include taking the informants out of that situation. If informing on your friends means losing them, then you should be provided with some new friends. The notion of providing people with friends may seem strange but people make friends with their colleagues from work and school and those colleagues are not chosen for them.
Concept: A "fantasy island" which is a world away from the informer's original situation. This leads to a notion of a new type of environment.
Here young people would be invited if they had done all three of the following:
- Had been involved in crime.
- Had informed on friends/associates.
- Had demonstrated a willingness to improve themselves.
They would be placed in an environment where
- Accommodation, meals, lessons & materials would be free.
- The best teachers would be available ("best" in this context means people who are can demonstrate considerable happiness skills and life skills - they are not necessarily drawn from the existing pool of maths and geography teachers).
- Jobs would be available, or residents could choose to do whatever they wanted provided it demonstrated learning.
- This environment would be advertised widely and promoted as wonderful places to be.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

U0000229
Concept: Luring attackers away
Rather than attack people in the street, the attackers are lured by something else.
Imagine that an elderly lady is being attacked. She has a small amount of money on her and so instead she offers the robber a government voucher worth $500. The robber may take her few dollars or take the voucher instead. If he takes the voucher, he is guaranteed to be given the money, without prosecution, if he also does the following:
- He presents the voucher to a police station, and identifies himself.
- He has not taken anything from victim or harmed her in any way.
- The person being attacked has no association with criminals.
Of course it will be difficult to sell this idea to the public because they will think that it is wrong to reward criminal behaviour. It can probably be sold on the basis of being a way to protect elderly ladies from being attacked and losing possessions having sentimental or personal value.
So OPV:
Victim
- Has less chance of losing her own money or possessions.
- Not as likely to be physically attacked as the robber already knows that she's got a voucher, he doesn't need to "beat it out of her."
- Feels like the government is doing something to protect her.
Attacker
- Knows that if he really needs money, he can get it without resorting to violence.
- Knows that even though he won't be prosecuted - he will be known to police as a someone capable of crime.
Police
- Will have more information about these sort of crimes.
- Get to see criminals face-to-face.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/1
'DISRUPTOR' ALARM DEVICE (DAD)
A small inexpensive device, which when activated produces a specific kind of interference on TV screens within a half mile radius,could be used by individuals threatened by an attacker to alert people in the neighbourhood that someone is in distress.
If everybody immediately opened their front door and looked out,the attacker/s would suddenly be aware of an audience and probably be scared off without there being any need for risky heroics.
An advertising campaign could establish and reinforce the idea of instant communal response to the TV 'signal'.
Heavy fines could be imposed on anyone misusing the device.

This is an idea that once came up during an exercise at a lateral thinking seminar but that does not detract from the merit of the person putting it forward.
İPaul Scott, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/2
SCHOOLS PROJECT/COMPETITION
Local police could go into schools and discuss crime prevention with teenagers, who would be invited to suggest alternative approaches.
This could be followed up with a national competition for schools to produce the best ideas.
Lateral thinking techniques could be introduced (where they were not already being used) to improve the quality and the quantity of the ideas.
Many benefits could accrue from this action:
1.Practical new ideas could emerge to help prevent crime.
2.Young people would have better awareness of the 'reality' of crime.
3.Lateral thinking techniques could be learnt and applied to a serious social issue in a meaningful way.
4.The police might be encouraged to use lateral thinking tools themselves.
5.It could convince educationalists that lateral thinking techniques should be more widely taught in schools.
6.Similar initiatives could be launched in other countries (different social problems could be addressed).
7.Companies willing to sponsor the competition would get excellent exposure.
8.A child who might have drifted into crime may instead help to prevent it.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/3
STOLEN CAR ALARMS
External house alarm boxes generate a deafening noise that carries on even if the box is disconnected.
Something similar built into a car would make the driver of a stolen vehicle both conspicuous and a little deaf.
If the car was taken at gunpoint the alarm could be triggered by remote, perhaps with a PIN number arrangement activated by phone.
The alarm sound could even be a loud voice message saying: "This car is stolen! Please write down the registration number and contact the police."
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/4
CREATIVE GLOBAL THINK-TANKS
To what extent do police forces and security companies from around the world compare notes? What problems are common? What approaches are working? What new technology could be employed/adapted to assist?
A formal global think-tank could be very beneficial, but would be far more productive if lateral thinking techniques were employed alongside the six hats method.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/5
PERSONAL DISTRESS ALARMS/SECURITY CLUBS In the UK drivers might join the AA (Automobile Association).As members they are entitled to a range of services,the most important of which is help on call when breaking down.
Similarly, security 'clubs' could offer a range of services (for an annual fee) one of which could be a 'rapid distress response system'.
A 'PDA'(personal distress alarm) device could be issued to members, who then activate it if they are in danger. A mobile fleet of cars would have onboard electronics that would immediately detect an activated alarm signal, and the nearest car operative would respond with assistance.
The companies promising the quickest average response times would be expected to have the most members - although discounts on home security devices and expert advice etc. would be part of the Police could use PDAs to get prioritised backup in an emergency.
It is very difficult to outrun a fit dog, and even a small dog trained to be aggressive could slow down most people. So perhaps more dogs could be used effectively by the police.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/6
SECURE 'DOOR TO DOOR TAXIS
Taxi companies could employ people able to both drive and protect their customers - literally taking you safely from door to door. The service would be more expensive than a normal taxi, but possibly offer the added value of peace of mind.
A secure 'door to door' bus service might be more cost effective to operate, and therefore cheaper for the individal.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/7
PICTURE PROTECTION POSSIBILITY
We cannot be that far away from having the technological resources to produce a camera that can take a picture, translate it into digital information and instantly fax it to the police.
Assailants might think twice if they suspected that their intended victim had 'already' identified them to the police by taking a photo.
No doubt such a device would be very expensive but,as with dummy surveillance cameras, it would be difficult for a criminal to know if it was the real thing or just an imitation.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

V0000230/8
ADULT EDUCATION
The police and criminal psychologists know a great deal about crime and criminals from first hand experience.
Knowing a little (instead of just being paralysed with fear) might be the difference between being robbed and being robbed and stabbed to death.
If knowledge and understanding can help reduce fear - and crime prospers most in a climate of fear - then any reasonable attempt by the police to educate the public about crime and ciminals (through seminars, workshops, adverts or whatever) would seem to be a good idea.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

W0000231
Idea 1: "Adopt a prospective offender" program : Develop a partnership between a person with criminal intent (burglar, murderer, etc.) and prospective victim.
Assuming that the majority of crimes in S.A. are committed because of basic economic survival reason, and not by persons who are inherently evil and anti-social, I propose to establish a preventive partnership between prospective criminals and prospective victims. I would put out notices (posters/or audiotape) around my fence, house, on my car, etc. that indicate the following intent:
"I know that you take a great risk stealing, burglarizing, even killing and you do it because you have no other way to support yourself and perhaps your family. You inflict harm to me and my family. I want to make a deal: Please come and see me, maybe I can find a job for you, maybe I can help with your education. Sooner or later you will be caught, imprisoned/punished and you bring more harm to you and your family. We have to work together. You can then be proud of yourself, make your mother and father, your elders, etc. proud of you, and leave a legacy for your children."
Yellow hat thoughts: prospective offenders might find the plan appealing. They might gain confidence to improve their lives by legal means, they might talk to other prospective criminals, there might be a ripple effect; it might contribute to higher trust levels, etc. and also contribute to socio-economic development.
Black hat thoughts: No criminal will believe the notices anyway. They will think it is a police trap. It will be totally ineffective. Persons might come forward and ask for help, that are not criminals.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

X0000232
Idea 2: "Adopt an offender" program: Develop a partnership between a person that actually committed a crime (including a felony) and the victim(s), or anybody else that shares the believe that many crimes in South Africa are committed because of socio-economic reasons and feel a strong commitment to personally help change the situation. The partnership would serve as a mentoring and assistance program. It might help prevent the person that committed the crime to become repeat offenders.
This is idea builds on idea 1 (W0000231).
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

Y0000233
Idea 3: An insurance (government and/or private) plan that rewards the "Adopt an offender/prospective offender" program:
There could be an insurance fund that would insure people that "adopt" prospective or actual offender. If a prospective victim/offender team comes forward the insurance would pay for education, training, job mentoring etc. One would look into the person's background in detail (like one looks into a medical history in detail and has very clear regulations of what can and cannot be insured, how much can be compensated etc.), and how that individual could best be assisted.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

Z0000234
Idea 4: The "Protection through Public Mentoring" program This idea builds on the idea "adopt an offender program" (X000032). It is not a personal mentoring but more a group, a public mentoring program.
A public campaign could be initiated, headed by highly respected, absolutely trustworthy personalities, such as Bishop Tutu and President Mandela, noteworthy tribal elders, and widely trusted individuals from all ethnic backgrounds, with notices everywhere, on radio, TV, newspapers, in all South African languages, that appeal to prospective offenders, and ask to come forward.
The message is: Come to a church, (or any other safe place.) There each one would be matched up with a mentor team, from different neighbourhoods, to help find jobs, develop educational plans, training as neighbourhood watchers etc.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

A0000235
Idea 5: Massive Multifaceted Approach: The Anti-Crime Campaign
Motto could be: "It takes a village to prevent a crime"
Crime prevention is complex. I doubt that it can happen successfully through anyone particular approach. Maybe in the short term a multifaceted approach could help to reduce crime. The idea is to make a concerted, massive, well orchestrated campaign that simultaneously attacks the problem from different angels and deals with different segments of the offender population differently such as education, deterrence, personal protection, punishment, activities that contribute to the improvement of socio-economic conditions. The approaches are not new and original ideas.
In the context of the challenge put before us, however, the original element may be to initiate a MASSIVE ANTI CRIME CAMPAIGN by combining various approaches consciously and resolutely:
1) Massive anti-crime education campaign in all schools, beginning in grade schools, including traditional rulers and elders and respected personalities of all ethnic backgrounds.
2) Massive use of all media for information on prevention/protection as well as informing prospective offenders of consequences of crimes, particularly violent crimes.
3) Massive neighborhood watches overseen by civil boards
4) Speedy administration of sentencing, maybe even on the spot, by especially trained police
5) Consistent and sharpened punishments (example Singapore), however not cruel and harmful, more educative and hard-work punishment that contributes positively to the GDP, overseen by civil boards.
6) Continued and increased vigilance with all the existing protective technical and non-technical measures, such as fences, walls, electrical fences, floodlights, guards, dogs, etc.
7) Add my ideas 1, 2, 3, 4 submitted separately (adopt an offender, develop partnership with prospective criminals public mentoring, etc.). (W0000231, X0000232, Y0000233, Z0000234)
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

B0000236
I would focus on unemployment and tourism. The level of unemployment seem to correlate with crime rates. Unfortunately tourists are often perceived rich and easy victims by criminals. For example, a hotel in Nairobi was recently attacked and robbed the first night after a new group of tourists had arrived. Everything, even their shoes, were taken, and some violence was involved. Crime and violence is now causing some serious damage for tourism.
There is great opportunity for creative thinking in this problem area. But prevention would probably require changing perceptions, which is difficult. On the other hand it might be more effective in reducing crime rates than trying to catch the "bad guys" after the damage has been done.
It might be possible and necessary to design and create an effective Crime Prevention Force (CPF) where it would be possible for volunteers to contribute in a constructive way. This would be different from traditional methods, where the energy is used dealing with the damages, instead of preventing them in the first place.
Crime prevention should be focused on the most dangerous times (night, tourism season) and places (known high-risk areas of city, popular tourist attractions, public transportation system, hotels) - it might be useful to divide cities and other potential problem areas in color-coded zones like for example: blue (secure places), yellow (beaches), green (parks, forests), white (airports, hotels, business), red (restaurants, entertainment and night-life), and black zones (dangerous, crime-infested areas, those places that should be avoided at all cost).
This information could be included in tourist maps and city guide books.
Benefits for CPF volunteers might include:
- provide useful work to do for those people who are unemployed (people could be trained to work as "rent-a-chaffeurs/guides/guards", this could operate in a similar fashion as the existing rent-a-car and taxi services).
- education and promotion of creative thinking skills (Handbook for the Positive Revolution, Six Action Shoes)
- extra payment offered for effective results (personal tips earned from customers, and special periodic bonuses according to results. Of course, the employees would be paid only if they stay crime-free. A special bonus could be paid, if the overall crime rate in the area drops.)
- social respect as a special reward (the media could play a big behavior reinforcement role here).
Who would pay for this CPF-project?
The money would come from those who would eventually have to pay for the costs of crime anyway, i.e. the government and the tourist industry. The customers would probably be willing to pay/tip for effective services. The project should be able to pay for itself, it should not increase the public expenditure.
Finally, Insurance companies should pay more attention to creative thinking in the area of crime prevention. For example, some extra cost due to crime prevention could be included in travel insurances. Insurance companies might consider offering extra benefits for those travellers who pay for special crime prevention.

Award $1000
The Crime Prevention Force is a general idea that needs a great deal of practical working out. On the other hand there is a danger of vigilante culture and on the other the danger of corruption. The "Guadian Angels" in New York seem to work well so there is an idea which should be worked with.
İJukka Kukkonen, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

C0000237
Crime Prevention Problem
We may be able to reduce crime by making it the responsibility of incarcerated criminals to make it happen. I don't mean this as a provocation. Nor am I just talking about asking for advice from criminals. Perhaps we could establish special inmate teams at various prisons. The members would be paid directly based on the results of their work, most likely a significant percentage of the estimated reduction in the cost of crime attributed to their actions. This is just the beginnings of an idea, or a concept, perhaps. More detail needs to be added, but I was anxious to submit it before the deadline. If Edward thinks it's worth exploring further, I'm ready to do so. Obviously, great care would need to be taken in selecting the inmates who would be team members. We wouldalso need to devise a meaningful level of compensation that would be motivating to the criminals, i.e., "big bucks". But given what we pay highly successful athletes, movie stars, etc., perhaps it's too not far fetched!

Award $1000
The idea of setting up 'think tank' groups in prison to advise on crime reduction. This might not work in all cultures or for all type of crime but there is the beginning of a useful idea.
İBernie Perry, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

D0000238
I looked at the problem of burglary.
Most security systems/alarms treat the home like a castle.
With current alarms;
-the panic element does not work with experienced criminals.
-the police response can be slow.
-most alarms are turned off in the daytime.
-the neighbours often dont know what is happening.
Using lateral thinking (po flag) I generated the idea of a group of houses operating together. This led to the idea of an 'electronic village'.
An Electronic Village would consist of a group of about six homes or houses in the same area (eg. same street). Instead of an alarm going off in the house under attack, it would go off in the other houses in the group (telling the others which house was being attacked).
The group could then:
-watch the house
-telephone the police or security firm.
-take photos (if possible)
-watch for anyone leaving
-take getaway vehicle details
-stronger/younger members may choose to approach the house.
The alarm could be set off automatically or manually (for daytime use). Modern communications technology makes this a practical possibility. The equipment would need to be developed as a product but this 'group' type of alarm would be more effective than the ones currently in use.
The product could be sold through resident associations or other groups that meet regularly. They would draw up their own rules and agreements.
Smaller groups could join forces to pay for security firms (if needed). If the idea became popular, groups could put pressure on insurance firms for lower premiums.

This is an idea that once came up during an exercise at a lateral thinking seminar but that does not detract from the merit of the person putting it forward.
İJim Duthoit, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

E0000239
Crime in South Africa
Points in prevention:
The Thinking Process I describe in Crime, Blue Hat & Consequences.
Personal protection
Lets divide this into 1) devices that you can carry and 2) organisation.
Devices - Existing
Dogs - Vulnerable to knives & guns?
Personal alarms:
Cannot be used against the victim. Surprises and disorientates an attacker. Alerts people to call the police.
Car alarms & hidden radios
Can immobilise the car, alert the police.
Pepper:
Good when used quickly and decisively. Can be seized and used against the victim. Could provoke retaliation.
Stun sticks:
Can be used against the victim. Could provoke retaliation.
Devices - New:
Flash gun to temporarily blind attackers:
Worth trying out to discover advantages & disadvantages. The strobe would need to be able to fire two or three times to cover up to 360 degrees of attack. I think that it would have to power up again within 5 seconds to flash again as the attackers recover their sight and orientation. It certainly works at night. Perhaps it could be made powerful enough to work by day, too, with a photo diode switch to change power according to ambient light.
Directional audio alarm that would disorientate an attacker:
This needs a trial. Legal issues, such as permissible noise level and permissible length of time of operation need to be investigated. Also any possible injury to hearing. This is White Hat first, then Black Hat, judgment.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

F0000240
Organisation
Searching for personal protection devices on the Internet, WWW, I found that XXXXX have improved their car alarm and immobiliser. The personal alarms, that are carried on a belt or in a purse, have had the number of models available reduced to a simple practical line.
The personal alarm still works well, and has not been improved, except in styling, for about 5 years.
What remains to be improved is the way in which personal protection may be used: Neighbourhood watch.
As there are weather reports and traffic reports, armed gang reports would help people go around trouble.
There could be volunteer escort services to help the manpower problem.
In sailing, showing people a life jacket and survival suit for emergencies is helpful. It is ten times more helpful to put the thing on and jump in the sea once, to get a feel for how long it takes to put on. Also, when emergencies take place at night it is impossible to use the equipment without previous practice.
Similarly: people subject to the threat of attack could carry out role play training in the use of personal protection devices. Quick, decisive use is much better than dithering. This includes training in handing over valuables and getting away unharmed.
If sales people cooperated with neighbourhood watch style organisations in doing this training, sales might improve. This should be tracked to provide extra motivation to keep the training up to date and useful.
If this approach does not provide training, alternatives must be investigated. Possibly volunteer trainers.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

G0000241
When it can be shown that improvement in safety results from training in the use of the protection devices, it should be easier to get additional trainers hired. Six Hat thinking needs to be used to get this support for training users of personal protection devices.
NeuroLinguistic Programming training helps enormously in communicating with such a different group as gang members and in understanding their lives and motives. Showing people how their posture, expression and actions affect the outcome. Showing people how to understand the relationships of attacker or robber and victim in a situation.
Skilled negotiators, with experience in dealing with terrorists or dealing across race and class differences, should have useful insights to help with role playing.
Locked into roles.
We would most likely find that social patterns reinforce peoples roles.
People become locked into being white and skilled, educated and prosperous.
People become locked into being black or coloured and without skills, livelihood or status. They can kill two birds with one stone by robbing for income and attacking representatives of the system that locks them in.
There is the additional brotherhood of the gang and excitement of attack. This needs understanding for training in use of personal protection to work.
As soon as possible, one or two gang members should be brought in as expert trainers.
Understanding the hearts and minds of the gang from their own point of view makes a lot of difference in not getting shot or knifed.
The advantages and difficulties of this approach must be understood well. In particular, any initial success should not encourage a flood of recruits. A few, well known gangsters, could train a lot of trainers, in the beginning.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

I0000243
In trying this challenge:
New Effective Approaches to Violent Crime in South Africa
Below are notes on the thinking process and results in my present business.
The project I am setting for creative thinkers is to come up with some new effective approaches to this type of crime. Talking about changing the whole socioeconomic system may be correct but does not help the problem in the short term.
Blue Hat
I started with things that I understood.
Getting good sleep; exercise and nutrition. This is not a joke, or nice idealistic comment; it is a necessary precondition to thinking clearly. Consistently, anyway.
As I could understand the 'Thinking Tools' in 'Serious Creativity' only vaguely, having read the book but not yet taken a course, there were three things that I did to overcome the difficulty:
1) I Mind Mapped the situation in S Africa as far as I understood it. This led to a greater understanding of the problem and, I am sure, made it easier to use the Lateral Thinking tools.
2) While considering different aspects of the problem, or challenge, I would speed read the tools section of 'Serious Creativity'. Ideas would flash before my eyes while speed reading. My note pad was ready. More ideas would occur while walking home from morning coffee. This shows that my unconscious mind understands the 'Creative Tools' perfectly well, thank you; though my conscious mind has yet to catch up.
3) Let the challenge incubate: it was particularly productive to run through a Mind Map of the challenge and notes to date, before sleep. Then, take a good walk before coffee and speed reading in the morning.
As I wrote up my notes, I was careful to note fatigue; the challenge is a much more intense task than we might be aware of. I would get to the end of a sentence and make a note or two on getting tired, then QUIT.
After a piece of normal work, a meal, a nap, cycling a few km to a movie and so on, I could do the next piece of writing productively.
This meant one or two sessions of note making and writing, most days, for about ten days before the deadline. A couple of marathon sessions would have got me nowhere but frustration.
a) Did a Mind Map and a creative pause. A considerable portion of my life, so far, has been taken up with most enjoyable creative pauses, I felt that I could use this method. Challenge: isn't there another way?
ORGANISATION instead of gadgets.
Po - We need something that the criminals will use against themselves then being rewarded handsomely for so doing. Money, but not only money; recognition and prestige are much more important.
b) Did an NLP exercise: remembered sailing from Acapulco to San Diego, and the very fine yacht we were on started to take on more water than we could manage with buckets when the pump failed. I carefully remembered the situation and emotions as I found a solution with the toilet pump. Keeping this in mind I imagined being surrounded by a gang in need of money and excitement - solution? Started to speed read 'Creativity'.
Yes, through organisation and effective use of present protection devices, many attacks could be prevented or warded off.
Po - Gangs should catch themselves.
Gangs should pay victims before attacking them.
Organise the criminals to make a lot of money by preventing crime.
Set up Guardian Angels.
A MLM such as XXXXX, in South Africa, could get a few groups hiring criminals as advisors. Part of the payment for the consultation could be in the form of CoRT and Lateral Thinking training in a form that the consultant could genuinely use and appreciate.
XXXXX groups would benefit from expert, up to the minute, consultation. Some of the consultants would gain an entirely new outlook on life. Very soon, new gadgets to protect society from violence would be developed by Lateral Thinking consultants drawn from the ranks of experts in violence. Socioeconomic conditions could begin to change from the roots up.
GADGETS
Tools with which people can defend themselves. That cannot be turned against themselves.
All round panic alarm + a directional feature. This can disorientate an attacker or be heard at a greater distance - if legal levels of noise are observed.
Blue Hat - go through the hats in order, looking for personal protection in a violent country; note what you did for future study; do a final Black Hat to check for silly pitfalls or mistakes. White Hat thinking - search for panic alarms and other self protection devices on Internet, as I have no other source of information, here (Japan).
Green Hat - go through each area and device with Lateral Thinking tools.
Creative pause: po - criminals should wear panic alarms that go off on approaching potential victims.
Po - Interesting Po. But I never did take this one any futher
Violent gangs should pay their victims compensation before attacking them.
Knowledge or eyes beat crime. Portable TV cameras could identify the criminals and witness the crime. A satellite link would relay the picture to a recorder in a secure building.
The rod and carrot are both needed for good progress. Carrot for best progress; the rod to remind people which direction is which.
Red Hat - note feelings about each old and new idea.
Yellow Hat -
Now, let's try to be honest about the benefits of having done this exercise.
I have been getting plans to make my English school running efficiently and usefully. As noted before, the plans pop into my mind of their own will while doing the Creative Challenge, or just afterwards.
These ideas are simple, practical and both long term and short term. I have moved into a modern housing area with good potential clients, nearby. Got a very good deal for rent by teching the son of the owner. He cannot go to school because of being attacked with a weapon, at school. My friends have designed signs for my car and for the end of the building in which I live. They are at the printers. We have started some accelerated English learning with one student in a way which he can understand. I am doing accelerated Japanese in a way that I can understand.
Because I am thinking well and practically, my business acquaintances are responding well, too.
I shall soon get relatives and friends to send travel notes on England, in the form of photos and audio tapes. They will get paid. This will develop into communication over the Internet as my cash flow improves. Everybody here is interested in Europe or America. That is why they study English. Notes from England will provide a text book that students can ask questions of. The questions and answers will take three weeks by mail, at first. Less time as I find people on the net.
When I retire and live aboard a yacht, in ten years time, continue to send lessons from abroad, and get paid: nobody will be surprised. Students will have somewhere to visit to make their English study worthwhile, too.
For a large part of my life, plans had been either short term; quickly done and over with. Or long term, so that I did not have to act on them. NLP training had done something to help. Speed reading 'Serious Creativity' while working on these challenges, seems to have done a great deal more.
İThe Author, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997

J0000244
This is not my idea but one I watched develop at a Lateral Thinking Seminar. We were thinking about redesigning cameras using Gun as the random word. Someone pointed out that guns are used to threaten and perhaps kill people. We decided to use this as a provocation: PO you can kill people by shooting them with a camera. We imagined being stuck in a dark alley and being approached by a potential attacker. If we had a gun we would hold it up and threaten the attacker. Would it be possible to do the same with a camera? We imagined a camera that was linked by mobile telephony to the local police station. If the panic button on this camera was pressed and a photo taken then that image would be transfered immediately to the police station. Perhaps these camera would have some distinguishing feature, bright red for example. It would be widely publicised that these Red Cameras could be used in this way. Now whenever a criminal considered commiting a crime and he/she saw someone take a photo of them with the camera that criminal would know that the police had evidence before the crime was comitted. There would be no point of commiting the crime. I feel there are some strong concepts in this idea that could be expanded on: 1st identifying the criminal before the crime is commited.
2nd detering the criminal before the crime is commited.
3rd Involving the general public in preventing crime, in a way that simlutaneously protects them from retribution.
Perhaps someone would like to take these concepts and find a cheaper or more effective way of implementing them other than a mobile phone style camera!

Award $1000
As is mentioned this idea came up during a lateral thinking seminar. An instant radio relaying camera - to a local storage receiver or to a central point - would be an effective deterrent. It is true that assailants would ear masks at night but it could have value during the day. Street TV cameras have been effective.
İCaspar de Bono, İEdward de Bono Creative Team 1997