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156 Criminal Justice Policy Review attracts predatory criminals, creating a local "hot spot of predatory crime" (Sherman et al., 1989). The discovery of hotspots by Sherman et al. (1989) was anticipated by the work of Brantingham and Brantingham (1981); adult business hotspots have many of the properties associated with crime "attractors" and "generators" (see also Brantingham & Brantingham, 1993). A simpler routine activity theory (Clarke, 1983; Cohen & Felson, 1979; Felson, 1998; Felson & Cohen, 1980) is sufficient for present pur- poses, however. In this context, the routine activity theory of crime equates ambient crime risk, generally defined as the number of crimes within 500-1,000 feet of a site, with the product of four risk factors. This can be written as: N of Targets x Expected Value Ambient Crime Risk = x Offenders Police Presence An increase (or decrease) in the number of targets at the site or in their expected value, defined in the usual way, yields an increase (or decrease) in ambient crime risk. An increase (or decrease) in police presence, on the other hand, yields a decrease (or increase) in ambient crime risk. Targets Adult business sites are crime hotspots because they attract potential victims, or targets, from wide catchment areas. Adult business sites are no different in that respect than tourist attractions(Danner,2003;Dimanche&Lepetic, 1999)and sporting events (Corcoran, Wilson, & Ware, 2003; Westcott, 2006). Compared to the targets found at these better known hotspots, however, the targets found at adult businesses are exceptionally attractive to offenders.This reflects the presumed characteristics of adult business patrons.They are disproportionately male, open to vice overtures, and carry cash. Most important of all, when victimized, they are reluctant to involve the police. From the offender's perspective, they are "perfect" victims. Offenders The crime-vice connection has been a popular plot device for at least 250 years. John Gay's Beggar's Opera (1728/2006), for example, describes the relationship between MacHeath, a predatory criminal, and the vice ring composed of Peachum, Lucy, and Jenny.This popular view is reinforced by the empirical literature on criminal lifestyles and thought processes.The earliest and best-known study (Shaw, 1930/1966; Snodgrass, 1982) describes the life of"Stanley," a delinquent who lives with a pros- titute and preys on her clients. This simple application of the routine activity theory assumes a pool of rational offenders who move freely from site to site,choosing to work the most attractive site Downloaded from httpJ/cjpsagepulaplflell lli�EyLiFORNIA IRVINE on May 25,2008 ©2008 SAGE Publications.All rights rase merrier use or unauthorized distribution.