ASSESSMENT of MARITIME PIRACY in EAST AFRICA

About the Book

The rationale for writing this book is a desire to highlight the utility of combining the efforts of criminologists, security practitioners, and policy makers in confronting crime problems such as maritime piracy. The study examines maritime piracy incident trends over the past few years and presents an explanation for the significant reduction of incidents in East Africa and offers a new approach in constructing a crime-reducing framework applicable to piracy, as well as other crime problems. The intent is to add relevance to the pursuit of social science research crime data collection and analysis using criminological theories (frameworks) and planning techniques for developing crime interdiction strategies that are useful to security practitioners and policy makers. Emphasis is on obtaining readily available data using recognized social science methods to analyze the maritime piracy crime phenomenon for planning and developing the strategies and actions that produce desired outcomes in support of crime reduction. This approach involves identifying appropriate tasks or actions to be taken to achieve the desired effects for each objective and subobjective. It includes an evaluation process of the most salient variables in order to produce assessments that will focus on measuring those actions that have the greatest impacts for generating the most favorable conditions in the environment (desired effects) that are conducive to achieving supporting subobjectives and overall objective (i.e., maritime piracy reduction). This approach creates a framework using selected crime theory elements for examining quantitative and qualitative data for planning counterpiracy actions through a dynamic planning and assessment process.

About the Author

Dr. VINCENT C. FIGLIOMENI, PhD Social Scientist (Security Professional – U. S. Army Officer & U.S. Federal Civilian - Retired) During his Security Professional career from 1977 to the present, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Siena College, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Iowa, a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of South Carolina, and a PhD in Criminology from the International PhD program at the TRANSCRIME Center, University of Trento School of Law./Catholic University of Milan. His military career included service in the U.S.A., Korea, and Italy. He served as Military Police (MP) Commissioned Officer in various positions of responsibility including, MP Operations Officer, Company Commander, Criminal Investigations Division Field Office Commander, Commander of a Detention (Correctional) Facility as well as Public Affairs Officer before transitioning to a Military Intelligence Officer in NATO. His subsequent U.S. Federal Civilian service career positions included Political Affairs Adviser to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Italy, and Director, Operational Assessments U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa USN 6th FLEET. Research studies include original empirical research in mass communications using community attachment theory, multiple original empirical research studies on public perception of immigrant involvement in crime in Italy, and secondary research in organized crime and maritime piracy. Currently, he is Director of “Francesco Figliomeni Social Science Research Center,” a non-profit independent social science research activity in southern Italy. His interest in immigrants and immigration endured and evolved throughout his adult life culminating with his PhD dissertation research on immigrants and crime in Italy initially developed in 2004. Since then, he conducted two additional studies focusing on public opinion of immigrant involvement in crime and immigrant policies in Italy. The overarching purpose of this examination of Italian public opinion of immigrant crime and policy related issues is to assess progress on social tolerance of immigrants, as this has an important impact on integration, socialization, and assimilation of immigrants. This process is fundamental to the successful passage of immigrants from outsider’s to being fully accepted member’s of the community. Dr. Figliomeni has a unique perspective as he has spent twenty-five consecutive years living and working in Italy serving the United States (U.S.) military and civilian services in support of NATO as well as facilitating positive U.S. and Italian relations. Ironically his current resident status as a U.S. citizen living in Italy affords him immigrant status.