The Ecology of Crime - Research Paper Example

The Ecology of Crime: Preventing Crime in the 21st Century of The Ecology of Crime: Preventing Crime in the 21st Century Introduction Johannesburg is the biggest city of South Africa. It is the capital of Gauteng and one of the largest urban cities of the world. The population of the city that was recorded in 2007 was around 4.44 million. The city has metropolitan areas such as Ekurhuleni, Soweto and Lenasia. The geographical area of the city is around 635 sq. ml. Crime Report of Johannesburg Crime rates of South Africa have increased in last two years. Crimes that are common in the city are: House robberies Murders Hijackings The crimes are severe that have raised a question in the mind that how to control over these criminal activities. Details of the Crimes Johannesburg is the city where the murders are committed for different reason such as during house robbery. House robbery is a crime that is commonly reported in the city. The police of South Africa do not control safety of the houses properly. The report of the 2014 represents that South African Police Services (SAPS) statistics has indicated the crime of house robberies of around 6,598 in the city of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Most of the figures belong to Johannesburg and 60 % of the crime was noticed in the townships1. Murder and hijacking are other crimes that are increasing in the city continuously for two to three years. It was observed that rise in the rate of murders in Johannesburg was 0.6 percent but attempted murder figure was raised up to 6.5 percent that was an alarming situation for the authority. Although the figure of increment in the murder is not high, there is a significant change in the attempted murder. Attempted murder is also considered as murder while giving the punishment. Carjacking and truck hijackings were increased nearly 20.4 percent in the period 2012-20132. Crime Intervention Prevention Theories Crimes are dangerous and alarming situation for the city. It is necessary to control the criminal activities so that the people living in that city feel freedom to live in a society and there should be no threats of criminal offence in that city. Safety should be the first priority to be followed to provide freedom to the citizens. Police and other authorities should be efficient to control the crimes in overall city. Strategies and plans will help them to reduce the graph of the criminal activities in the society. There is a need of some examples that how to prevent the criminal activities in the city practiced by other cities of the world. It is not only the duty of police to prevent crime; there is a need to take precautions to reduce the chances of crimes. Following are some of the suggestions practiced by the citizens that could be quite helpful in pretending crimes in the city. Target-Hardening It refers to resist the activity of crime. It is applied by using hard door locks to make it difficult for the criminal to enter in the area. Alarms, security cameras and other things could be used to prevent the crime. The concept refers to safety of the house, offices and shopswhere there is more chances of criminal activities3. Remove the means to commit crime It can be applied to lock up the appliances that could be used to commit a crime. It is necessary to remove tools that are easily accessible for the criminal to commit a crime. The theory is not new and had been exercised in past but is quite helpful now a days. If the tools that could be used to attempted murder or robbery purposes are placed in the safe area, the chances of crime will also be decreased4. Access Control The concept refers to the security purpose in buildings such as shopping malls, offices or others to have access control over there places. Identity card systems, security check system and baggage screenings are the tools that could be used to apply the concept to prevent the crime at big places. Check and balance is necessary to save the workplace that welcome general public5. Rule setting Rule should be followed properly to enter in the building or area that is to be controlled. It includes wearing ID badges, uniform in the particular buildings, rules set by the local and legislative authorities of the city. The examples will help in controlling the criminal activities even at public places6. Increasing the chance of being caught It includes inspection of various security systems are efficiently working and help to catch the criminals red-handed. It is the duty of management system to make it possible that all the security alarms are working effectively so that to increase the chances of being caught of the criminal. Proper management of CCTV systems and equipment are related to this concept7. Implementation of the Prevention Above preventions must be adopted and practiced by the authorities of Johannesburg. These practices will prove to give positive outcomes to them. They have to acknowledge the people to adopt these preventions to control their respective areas and make the city to be free from criminal offences. Public support is necessary to implement the solution for controlling the crime in the city. Expected Outcomes Above prevention concepts are applied by the big cities of the world. The crime rate is decreasing in those cities. By applying above mentioned theories and concept it will be quite easy to prevent the areas from criminal activities. Crime Free State It could be possible when the precautions will be taken to eliminate the chance of crime at every place in the city. The role is required by the citizens to take security measures to control the crime in their area. The theory will then move towards to be spread all over the city. If the people living in the society will adopt the preventing measures, there will be more hardships for the person to commit a crime in that city8. Helpful for Investigation Precautions will lead the police to investigate crime in an easy manner and lead the people to live in the society with freedom and safety. Security alarms and CCTV systems are related to the safety measures that should be taken by the management to check every movement at their work place. A plan is required for implementing the concepts and solutions that would be applied by the authorities. It is necessary that the strategies must communicate to the public so to avoid the factor of unawareness. The plan could be quite helpful for the police and other security agencies to implement and get the society and city to be free from crime9. Practical Possibility of Solutions The recommended solutions that are given to decrease the graph of crime in the city are practically possible and applied by big cities of the world. In the 21st century, there is common use of technological appliances that detect most of the threats that could cause harm to the citizens. Security cameras and other security appliances to check and inspect the criminal activities are practiced by the big cities of the world. New York is the best example of the city that practices more of these security recommended solutions and they have succeed in decreasing the graphs of crime in the city. Precautionary measures could be quite helpful to stop the crime before they occur. Cost of the security system is not too high that under developed cities could not afford it. Where the security and safety of the citizen is concerned it is necessary not to compromise on these factors. Importance of Security for Political, Economical and Social Factors Economical factor The recommended solutions are relatively important for the economic, political and social factors. The solutions are not like that to contradict with any factor. They are relatively important for all the factors of the economy. Crime rate distracts foreign investors to invest in the city and they want a free and secured environment to do business in the city. It is important that the solutions and recommendations mentioned should be adopted by Johannesburg to incorporate in their plan. Security plan of the city could be made through these recommendations10. Political and Social Factor Politics of Johannesburg could play a role in implementing these solutions in the city. There is an issue of discrimination of race, class and color in the society of Johannesburg. There is a need to change the mindset of the people to live with peace and respect others. Political leaders could play a role in bringing the different class of people on one page. It is possible when the political leaders would follow the implementation of these recommendations. Security is necessary for the political system of the society. Dynamics of Johannesburg are different from any other big city. It is possible that the political leaders of the city will not suggest the solutions. The authority should try the solutions to prevent their city from criminal offences. Society could be prevented from criminal activities by participating with the government authorities for safety and security. The role of the citizen will enhance the confidence of police and society will then get a viable move to save the city from different threats of crime11. BIBLIOGRAPHY Finley, Laura L. “Examining state and state-corporate crime surrounding major sporting events.” Contemporary Justice Review. 16, no. 2 (2013): 228-250. 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