Sniffing Out Criminals

By Jeremy Caplan Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004
    • IF You Can't Confront Criminals, Drive Them To Distraction. That seems to be the theory behind a new wave of tactical tricks becoming more popular among urban cops. These "touch-free" techniques use sounds, smells and subterfuge to thwart crime and pose less risk of violence. For police departments faced with budget cuts, limited manpower and accusations of police brutality, they can be a kinder, gentler — and cheaper — way of keeping the streets safe.

    --VIOLINS VS. VIOLENCE Blaring classical music chases gangs away from subway stations, parking lots and malls. Cops in Britain tried this first. But what happens if the vagrants love Wagner?

    --UNSEXY ODORS L.A. cops smear skunk-smelling gel to clear prostitutes and johns from crack houses. Next up: stinky gun pellets to scatter them from afar.

    --ICE CREAM COPS After police hid out in a Good Humor truck in Chicago, dealers ran from even regular trucks' chimes. D.C. cops got the same result with disguised taxicabs.

    --EXTRA EYES Surveillance cameras have helped reduce arrests in crime-heavy New York City parks.