Repeat crimes are disproportionately likely in high-crime areas and in the period shortly after a crime, suggesting that efficient crime prevention may be achieved through rapid, transitory responses to victimization. Because the extent of revictimization is typically underestimated, knowledge of recvictimization patterns may provide the basis for more effective prevention of domestic violence, burglary, car crimes, and other offenses. Quick response alarms, loaned to "high-risk targets" on a temporary basis, represent one way of preventing crime and detecting the criminal. The importance of focusing limited crime prevention resources where they are needed is demonstrated, and data from the 1982 British Crime Survey are appended. 99 references, 15 tables, and 6 figures