Special Issue: Crime and Control in the Digital Era

• Date: 01 March 2019
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016818818688
• Published date: 01 March 2019
• Subject Matter: Introduction

Introduction

Special Issue: Crime and

Control in the Digital Era

Vania Ceccato

1

Abstract

In the digital age, “eyes” are complemented by technologies such as smartphones, “apps,” or body

worn cameras, giving expression to new ways of depicting what happens in public space. This special

issue (SI) brings together five articles that characterize the nature of control, surveillance, and guar-

dianship in thecontext of today’s technological advancements.The articles help inform criminology by

reporting on examples and impacts of technologies as well as by providing a better understanding of

how the massive use of these technologies and new practices might be just redefining public space.

Keywords

law enforcement/security, crime prevention, police processes

Aim and Objectives

This special issue (SI) aims at advancing interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of the

nature of control in the digital age and the potential effects of new technologies on both crime and

crime prevention. This aim is achieved by:

advancing our understanding of the nature of control, surveillance, and guardianship. Com-

pared to the time-honored “eyes on the street,” today’s technological exercise of social

control utilizes a number of other senses as well as sight, such as touch and sound, captured

by photo, live streaming, and text—fast disseminated via social media—through the use of

personal smartphones, apps, and body worn cameras (BWCs).

demonstrating how the body of criminological theories applies to today’s exercises of control

and guardianship that are redefined by rapid technological developments. Issues of individual

integrity and accountability, lack of context, and commodification of security are relevanthere.

exemplifying how these technologies have become an integral part of social control, guar-

dianship, and policing. Also, by investigating how these technologies impact the ways police

work and by providing a nuanced understanding of the use of public space in relation to

citizens’ rights.

1

Department of Urban Planning and Built Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden

Corresponding Author:

Vania Ceccato, Department of Urban Planning and Built Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10 A,

100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.

Email: vania.ceccato@abe.kth.se

Criminal Justice Review

2019, Vol. 44(1) 5-10

ª2019 Georgia State University

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DOI: 10.1177/0734016818818688

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