During the quarantine resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, home burglary decreased. How would routine activities theory explain this?

Routine activities theory posits that for a crime to occur, three elements must converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardians. During the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, many people were required to stay home, which resulted in fewer unguarded homes available as targets for burglary. Given this context, the statement about more capable guardians being present during the pandemic aligns strongly with the theory.

With individuals at home, especially during strict lockdowns, the likelihood of encountering a suitable target for burglary decreased because the presence of residents served as a form of guardianship that deterred potential offenders. This change directly supports the core tenet of routine activities theory that capable guardianship significantly reduces opportunities for crime. As guardians (homeowners) were physically present, potential burglars would have perceived a greater risk, resulting in a reduction in burglaries during that time.

The other contextual explanations, such as increased law enforcement presence or economic factors, do not specifically relate to the elements of routine activities theory in the same direct manner as the presence of capable guardians.