Let's use the concept of systems thinking to discuss copper theft. Systems thinking is strategic in nature. The awareness of systems is necessary for good strategic thinking in crime and intelligence analysis.
"Systems Thinking: It is a unique approach to problem solving, in that it views certain 'problems' as a part of the overall system so focusing on these outcomes will only further develop the undesired element or problem." Systems thinking - excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If we focus on the traditional outcomes of law enforcement efforts to address copper theft - investigation and possible arrest and successful prosecution of offenders - we are quite short-sighted. Many thefts appear to be committed by drug addicts to fuel their addiction, thefts that are often of insignificant property value (the destruction of associated property is often higher in cost than the value of stolen goods). Going after the drug addicted thieves is not the best way to "leverage the system" as the supply of drug addicts to the system of "copper theft" is potentially endless. In this type of crime "catching the bad guys" doesn't change the crime problem significantly. Catch one batch of criminals and new individuals and groups take their place (as in the frustrating war on drugs).
If we focus on a more strategic tactic, seeking to influence the markets for scrap copper by regulating scrap metal dealers, we are engaging in systems thinking. We study a problem by looking how a part influences the whole.
"Systems thinking is a framework that is based on the belief that the component parts of a system will act differently when the systems relationships are removed and it is viewed in isolation. The only way to fully understand why a problem or element occurs and persists is to understand the part in relation to the whole. Standing in contrast to Descartes', scientific reductionism and philosophical analysis, it proposes to view systems in a holistic manner. Consistent with systems philosophy, systems thinking concerns an understanding of a system by examining the linkages and interactions between the elements that comprise the entirety of the system.
Systems thinking attempts to illustrate that events are separated by distance and time and that small catalytic events can cause large changes in complex systems. Acknowledging that an improvement in one area of a system can adversely affect another area of the system, it promotes organizational communication at all levels in order to avoid the silo effect. Systems thinking techniques may be used to study any kind of system — natural, scientific, engineered, human, or conceptual." Systems thinking - excerpt from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The "system of copper theft" has many components. To find solutions to the problem, we should look at all the parts of the system AND how they influence one the other parts. Use an example to test your systems thinking - read Scott Berinato"s article Copper Theft: The Metal Theft Epidemic and look for the various parts within the system of copper theft. Some of the parts are also systems - what systems are affected by copper theft?
How could the news in the article China Copper Demand Is Slowing, Jiangxi Copper Says by Xiao Yu and Li Xiaowei influence the system of copper theft?
More Reading on Systems Thinking
Applied Systems Thinking
Overview of Systems Thinking
Systems Theory
"A system is an entity which maintains its existence
through the mutual interaction of its parts." from "Systems" webpage - quote attributed to Biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy
As a career Counterintelligence and Law Enforcement Officer with the US Air Force I was really amazed a the utility of John Warden's Five Ring System model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warden%27s_Five_Rings when applied to law enforcement issues. I was first exposed to it in the early 1990s and used it on several major cases before I retired. I now work for John and we use the model regularly with our clients in their strategic planning efforts. The model really provides a quick and easy way to breakdown complex systems into manageable and understandable entities. John's blog: Strategic Thinking by John A. Warden III http://venturist.com/wordpress/ and many of his publications http://venturist.com/Prometheus%20Concepts%20Summary.htm talk extensively about this model.
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