Factors that Influence the Occurrence of Crimes - Essay Example

 Factors that Influence the Occurrence of Crimes Introduction Some factors influence the occurrence of crime. The research focuses on place as a factor on crime. The research centers on time as a factor in crime increase. The research focuses on the person as a factor in crime increase. Crime happens because some significant factors bolstered the unfolding of the illegal acts Focus of Crimes The research focuses on place as a factor on crimes. Sacco and Kennedy (2008) stated some crimes occur more in some places when compared to crime occurrences in other places. For example, more crimes will occur in places where drinking occurs when compared to places where drinking is absent. It is rare for people to drink intoxicating liquor. Likewise, it is rare to find employees drinking intoxicating liquor within their offices. It is uncommon to see several teachers drink intoxicating liquor inside the classroom. Likewise, it is uncommon to see people drinking intoxicating liquor during church services. It is also rare to find people drinking intoxicating liquor during cooking class. Crimes occur in places where gangs control. Crimes occur in places where there are more guns or deadly weapons. There are more murders and rape crimes committed outside school buildings compared to murder and rape crimes committed inside school buildings. The presence of security guards inspecting the presence of deadly weapons prevents or reduces the occurrences of students or other persons carrying deadly weapons or guns inside the school premises. Sacco and Kennedy reiterated (2008) some crimes occur within guardianship environment. Often crimes occur between family members. Husbands may kill wives for cheating or having an affair. Parents may violate the rights of their children. Stealing small coins of things from family members is a normal part of growing up in many families. Some fathers rape their daughters inside their home. Sacco and Kennedy reiterated (2008) insist some street crimes are due to gangs. This category also falls under victims and offenders intersecting in time and space. Gangs often fight each other for control of territory. The street gang victims people passing through their territory. Some gangs do not think twice when they plan to inflict damage on the persons passing through their territory. In addition, many gangs also prey on stores and other establishments within their community. Compared to streets having no gangs, the crime incidence is generally lower. Logic dictates that eliminating the gangs will reduce the gang-related crimes. In terms of income, Sacco and Kennedy reiterated (2008) proposed there are more crimes in communities classified as poor when compared to communities composed of people having above average income or salary. The main reason is that some of the poor residents are forced to resort to criminal activities to feed their hungry stomachs as well as their family’s hunger needs. A person receiving more than enough take home pay to feed one’s family has lesser intensions of robbing a person walking across the street compared to a jobless person who is hooked on drugs. Sacco and Kennedy (2008) opined the research centers on time as a factor in crime increase. Some of the crimes are based on time. The bank robbers would not rob a bank at 9:00 in the evening. The grocery store hold uppers would not rob the grocery store at 2:00 in the morning, when the store is padlocked. There would be more robbers would not stand in the dimly light places to rob the persons passing by them compared to robbers planning a heist in broad daylight. The robbers will choose the time of their dastardly deeds in order to avoid as many people as possible. The increase in the number of persons witnessing crime in broad daylight would translate to an increase in the number of persons reporting as well as eye witnessing the criminal activity. Further, Sacco and Kennedy reiterated (2008) emphasized the criminal would not rob a person during school games. There are too many students who will witness the robbery. The rapist will not implement his evil deed during the classroom lectures. There would be too many witnesses seeing the criminal act. The murderer would not kill the teacher inside the classroom during the class discussion because the criminal can be easily discovered. The criminal would not sell heroin when the police is nearby. The police presence will discourage the criminal from implementing the illegal drug trade. Likewise the criminal will steal goods from the grocery store when the store employees are beside the criminal. The criminal will be caught stealing the goods whenever someone, especially the grocery store employees can witness and report the stealing incident. In addition, Sacco and Kennedy (2008) reiterated the crime of robbery or stealing will normally not occur when the person has more than enough money. The rich kid who inherits lots of money from moneyed parents would have lesser interest in stealing from the grocery store or robbing a bank compared to a person who grows up in dire poverty. The rich kid does not need to steal to get cash to buy one’s basic needs because money the rich kid can effortlessly use one’s savings of thousands of dollars to buy an electric guitar – the rich kid’s interest. Sacco and Kennedy (2008) theorized the research focuses on the person as a factor in crime increase. A person of strong morale upbringing would think three or more times on undertaking a criminal activity compared to a person with no morale persuasion. The person with no morale person is generally not indebted to anyone in terms of complying with the ethical standard of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. On the other hand, the person with strong morale upbringing will normally shy away from violations of morale standards. Morale standards are based on doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. Engaging in criminal activities is considered a violation of morale standards. In addition, a person who grows up in a crime –laden family will usually grow up to be more prone to engage in criminal activities as compared to a person who grows up in a family where crime is considered as a banned prerogative. Types of Crimes Sacco and Kennedy (2008) insisted some persons are prone to certain crimes compared to others. Based on Box 6.3, thefts from the person generated the highest number of occurrences compared to other commonly committed crimes; the thefts from the person data show 94 single attack occurrences. Theft of personal property occurred as the second highest crimes occurring once on a victim compared to other common crimes; the thefts from the person data show 94 single attack occurrences. The bicycle thefts generated the 3rd highest number of occurrences compared to other commonly committed crimes; the bicycle thefts data show 88 single attack occurrences. The Burglary thefts generated the 4rd highest number of occurrences compared to other commonly committed crimes; the burglary thefts data show 6 single attack occurrences. The all vehicle thefts generated the 4rd highest number of occurrences compared to other commonly committed crimes; the all vehicle thefts data show 81 single attack occurrences. The vandalism crimes generated the 5th highest number of occurrences compared to other commonly committed crimes; the bicycle thefts data show 70 single attack occurrences. On the other hand, Sacco and Kennedy (2008) insisted there three major types of violence crimes that occur in society. Robbery is the most notorious crime in this category. Robbery occurred 89 times in the single attack category. Wounding is the second most notorious crime in this category. Wounding occurred 81 times in the single attack category. Common assault is the 3rd most notorious crime in this category. Common Assault occurred 81 times in the single attack category. Affirmation Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) emphasized in their article Social Inequality and Predatory Criminal Victimization: an Exposition and Test for a Formal Theory affirms the theories of the prior article by Sacco and Kennedy. The article acknowledges that the income is a factor in crime occurrences. In addition, the article acknowledges that the race is a factor in crime occurrences. There is a dividing line the White race and the African American race. Although, the law dictates that racial discrimination should be avoided at all times, people can vividly see that there is seeming gap between the Whites and the African Americans. The discrimination could be in terms of the criminal justice system. Further, Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) reiterated the victims of crimes are generally triggered or influenced by their race. A handful of African Americans may freak out and institute crimes because of the White population of their color. Specifically, crime victims belonging to the White race reached 187,282 casualties. This is higher than the African American casualty of only 22,147 occurrences; this occurred in the assault crime category. Likewise, crime victims belonging to the White race reached 90,677 casualties. This is higher than the African American casualty of only 10,899 occurrences; this occurred in the Burglary crime category. In addition, crime victims belonging to the White race reached 187,382 casualties. This is higher than the African American casualty of only 22,147 occurrences; this occurred in the Personal Larceny crime category (Cohen, Kluegel, & Land, 1981). Furthermore, Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) added more statistical data to affirm they are united with Sacco and Kennedy by stating income was a factor in crime occurrences. People with incomes between $0 and $7,500 incurred 6,585 assault crime occurrences. Also, people with incomes between 7,500 and 24,999 incurred 125,034 assault crime occurrences. In addition, people with incomes of $25,000 and above incurred 16,910 assault crime occurrences. People with incomes of $7,500 and below had 39,308 Burglary crime occurrences. Also, people with incomes between $7,500 to 24,999 had 55,553 burglary crime occurrences. In addition, people with incomes of over $25,000 and above had 6,715 burglary crime occurrences. People with incomes of $7,500 and below had 67,585 personal larceny crime occurrences. Also, people with incomes between $7,500 to 24,999 had 125,034 personal larceny crime occurrences. In addition, people with incomes of over $25,000 and above had personal larceny y crime occurrences. People with ages from 16 to 29 were victims of burglary. There were 68,506 victims of burglary crime belonging to this age group. People with ages from 30 to 59 were victims of assault. There were 98,298 victims of assault crime belonging to this age group. People with ages of 60 years of age and over were victims of assault. There were 42,725 victims of assault crime belonging to this age group. Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) stated people with ages from 16 to 29 were victims of burglary. There were 19,971 victims of burglary crime belonging to this age group. People with ages from 30 to 59 were victims of burglary. There were 53,582 victims of burglary crime belonging to this age group. People with ages of 60 years of age and over were victims of burglary. There were 28,023 victims of assault crime belonging to this age group. Cohen, Kluegel and Land (1981) opined people with ages from 16 to 29 were victims of personal larceny. There were 68,506 victims of personal larceny crime belonging to this age group. People with ages from 30 to 59 were victims of personal larceny. There were 98,298 victims of personal larceny crime belonging to this age group. People with ages of 60 years of age and over were victims of personal larceny. There were 42,725 victims of personal larceny crime belonging to this age group. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, some factors influence the occurrence of crimes. Crimes occur on certain time periods. Guardianship triggers some crimes. Proximity between victims and offenders increases the crime rate. Income levels play an important role in many crime tendencies. The space or environment increases the criminals’ encouragement to implement criminal acts on persons and property. Indeed, all the authors are united in stating that crime occurs because many significant factors triggered unfolding of the illegal acts. References: Sacco, V.F. & Kennedy, L.W. (2008). The criminal event: an introduction to criminology in Canada. Toronto: Thomas Nelson. Cohen, L. E., Kluegel, J. R., & Land, K. G. (1981). Social inequality and predatory criminal victimization: An exposition and test of a formal theory. American Sociological Review, 46(5), 505–524. Read More