This paper explores the evolution of security policies from the War on Crime to the War on Terror, examining how crime control strategies laid the groundwork for counterterrorism efforts. The War on Crime, initiated in the mid-20th century, focused primarily on domestic law enforcement and the criminal justice system, aiming to reduce crime rates through policing, surveillance, and punitive measures. Over time, as global threats shifted, many of these same strategies were adapted to address terrorism, leading to the emergence of the War on Terror. This paper traces the continuity between these two security paradigms, analyzing the role of surveillance technologies, militarization of law enforcement, and shifts in public discourse surrounding security. By examining key policy shifts, legislative changes, and cultural responses to crime and terrorism, the paper reveals how the War on Crime set the stage for the more global, militarized strategies of the War on Terror. The study provides insight into the transformation of domestic security measures into a broader counterterrorism framework and the long-term consequences for civil liberties, governance, and global security.

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