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　Issue by Professor Komiya, which has been published since December 2022, 12, "Can crime be prevented by using the word 'suspicious person'? lists the advantages and disadvantages of using the word "suspicious person", and asks whether the approach using the word "suspicious person" is effective as a crime prevention measure.

　According to Professor Komiya, when people gather to discuss crime prevention, the word "suspicious person" almost always appears. Messages of this kind can be seen everywhere: "Watch out for suspicious people," "Call 110 if you see suspicious people," and "Share information about suspicious people."

　The definition of "suspicious person" varies slightly depending on the subject using it.For example, the National Police Agency defines a suspicious person who threatens the safety of a child as "a person who has or is likely to do such things as talking to a child."According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Risk Management Manual for Intrusions by Suspicious Persons", "persons who enter or attempt to enter school grounds or buildings without justifiable reason" are called "suspicious persons."

　The merits of the approach using the word "suspicious person" are that "it becomes easier to be vigilant of the surroundings, and as a result, we can quickly notice people who are trying to commit crimes", "it becomes a common language with children and local residents, Crime-prevention awareness and sense of community will increase," and ``If you deny the word "suspicious person," you will deny the activities you have done so far, and the motivation of those who are engaged in crime-prevention activities will decrease."

　On the other hand, the disadvantages are that ``the definition is ambiguous, so it cannot be a common basis for crime prevention activities,'' and ``even if you use the word "suspicious person," it is almost impossible to determine who is actually trying to commit a crime. "When the word "suspicious person" spreads, people who look different from the ordinary are regarded as criminals and discrimination is born."

　“Can crime be prevented by using the word “suspicious person”? Votes on "Surfvote" will be accepted until March 2023, 3.

Reference: [Surfvote] Can using the word "suspicious person" prevent crime?