Compare fixed-location patrols with random patrols; what is the strategic rationale for each?

• A. Fixed patrols provide predictable coverage for deterrence; random patrols reduce predictability and uncover hidden risks.
• B. Fixed patrols are random; random patrols are fixed.
• C. Fixed patrols are cheaper; random patrols more expensive.
• D. Fixed patrols are only at night; random patrols only during day.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how patrol patterns shape security outcomes by combining deterrence with discovery. Fixed-location patrols create a predictable coverage pattern, which signals a steady security presence in key areas and reinforces deterrence because potential wrongdoers can anticipate where surveillance and response will be most reliable. Random patrols break that predictability, making it harder for anyone to map out routines, increasing the chance of detection, and helping reveal hidden risks or gaps that routine patrols might miss. In practice, the strongest approach uses both ideas: keep fixed patrols in high-priority zones for consistent coverage, and sprinkle in random patrols to disrupt patterns and test the overall security posture. The other statements either swap the concepts, oversimplify cost, or imply rigid timing that doesn’t reflect how patrols are actually planned.