San Diego County Office of Education 6401 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111

What is the SARA model?
Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment (SARA) is a problem-solving model frequently used by law enforcement. Problem solving is an integral component of the philosophy of community policing. The problem-solving approach is a methodical process for reducing the impact of crime and disorder problems in a community. This problem-solving technique can be applied to ALL problems. School personnel can especially use this technique when working on school safety plans, discipline issues, and other school-related issues.

What are the Components of the SARA model?
There are four components to the SARA model are all equally important. The four parts are:

  • Scanning
  • Analysis
  • Response
  • Assessment

Scanning
The identification of a cluster of similar, related or recurring incidents through a preliminary review of information, and the selection of this crime/disorder problem, among competing priorities, for future examination.

Analysis
The use of several sources of information to determine why a problem is occurring, who is responsible, who is affected, where the problem is located, when it occurs, and what form the problem takes. Analysis requires identifying patterns that explain the conditions that facilitate the crime or disorder problem. Sources of information may include police data (CAD, arrest, incident data, etc.), victim and offender interviews; environmental surveys; officer, business and resident insurance information, etc. (Sources of information for schools may include expulsion/suspension data, CSSA data, truancy rates etc.)

Response
The execution of a tailored set of actions that address the most important findings of the problem analysis phase and focus on at least two of the following: (1) preventing future occurrences by deflecting offenders; (2) protecting likely victims; or (3) making crime locations less conducive to problem behaviors. Responses are designed to have a long-term impact on the problem, and do not require a commitment of police time and resources that is not sustainable over the long-term.

Assessment
The measurement of the impact(s) of the responses on the targeted crime/disorder problem using information collected from multiple sources, both before and after the responses have been implemented.

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