The assumption underlying the general deterrence theory and associated criminal justice policy is that individuals calculate the risk involved in criminal activity and refrain from it, because of their fear of punishment. Opponents of the general deterrence theory argue that people tend to commit offenses almost irrespective of the risk involved. Analysis of events surrounding a major terrorist incident of February 1991 disclosed that, in the period immediately following the incident, there was a sharp but short-lasting decline in the number of cases of luggage theft. Since the number of cases of theft from persons did not show a similar decline during the same period of time, the study concluded that potential thieves' fear of being injured by exploding luggage provided an independent deterrent effect separate from and above any deterrent effect that may have resulted from extra police vigilance in the wake of the terrorist incident. Notes, figures, table, references