General deterrence in crime control policies aims to achieve what?

General deterrence is a concept in criminology that focuses on preventing crime by instilling fear of punishment not just in those who have committed crimes, but also in the general public. The underlying principle behind this approach is that if potential offenders believe that the consequences of their criminal actions (the "pain") will outweigh any potential benefits they might gain, they are less likely to commit those crimes.

The correct answer reflects this key idea: by making the consequences of engaging in illegal behavior clear and severe, the aim is to dissuade individuals from opting for crime by making them think twice about their decisions. This strategy relies on the assumption that prospective offenders will weigh the risks of punishment against the rewards of criminal activity.

In contrast, community engagement in policing may serve various functions, such as building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community, but does not directly relate to the principle of general deterrence. Similarly, reducing fear of punishment among offenders would be counterproductive to the concept of general deterrence as it could make the prospect of crime more appealing. Finally, defining new laws and regulations can help structure the legal framework but does not directly address the broader aim of discouraging crime through the fear of punishment.

Thus, the focus of general deterrence