Socioeconomic Factors in Local Policing - Research Paper Example

Socioeconomic Factors in Local Policing al Affiliation: Socioeconomic Factors in Local Policing Introduction Eastpointe is one of the cities in the Macomb county of Michigan, USA. The city occupies an area of approximately 5.14 square miles with a population of close to 32400 people as per the year 2013; 15683 males and 16728 females. Compared to the year 2000, the city’s population has declined by 4.80% with a population growth rate of -0.55 which is much lower than the country’s average growth rate of 9.70% In addition, Eastpointe has a population density of 6304.92 persons per a square mile. This is relatively higher than the entire State’s average of 102.20 individuals in a square mile and the nation’s average of 81.3 people in a square mile. Eastpointe’s most widespread race is the white which is 65.65% of the entire population. The other races take the other percentage; black 29.5%, Hispanic 2.09%, Asian 1.09%, Native 0.42% and others3.34% (Locallabs, 2012). Education level in this city is relatively lower than the level of the State’s and nation’s education, averagely. Therefore, this paper seeks to discuss the demographic aspects of Eastpointe, its transformation and the projected future trends of these demographics. It will examine the race, gender, age, employment, housing, wealth distribution, schools, trend in crimes and their effect on policing. Race Race refers to a particular geographic human population which is distinguished by characteristics which are genetically transmitted across the group. In addition, these groups of people are united on the base of a common history, geographical distribution or nationality. Thus, Eastpointe is a city which has a number of races; the whites, the blacks, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans such as American Indian and Hawaiian and other races from other parts of the world. The whites and blacks are the most dominant races in the city with a population of 21297 white people and 9575 black people. Out of 100%, the white people cover 65% whereas the blacks cover 29%. For the same year, Hispanics were 677 people covering 2% of the entire population; the Asians have a population of 353, covering 1% of the city’s population whereas the natives (American Indians) have a population of 130 with a 1%. There is a population with two or more races. These people are 933 in total, covering 2% of the city’s population. Compared to the race population of previous years, say 2000 where the whites had the greatest percentage (92.1%) and the blacks 4.7%, the population of the white race has greatly declined to 65% as other races increased in population; blacks to 29%, Asians to 1% from 0.7%, native Americans to 1% from 0% and other races from 0% to 2%. Generally, the city has reported an increase in other races and a significant decrease in the population of the white race. Gender Gender refers to either male or female in a population. Thus, Eastpointe city in Michigan as per the 2013 demographic reports had a total of 15699 males and 16743 females. Splitting this according to the race, out of 21297 white people, 10599 were males and 10738 were females. The black race had 4366 males and 5209 females, Asian race had 167 male and 186 females, Hispanic race had 334 males and 3343 females, two or more races had 473 males and 460 females and Native Americans race had 63 males and 67 females. Looking at the above data keenly, across the city’s population, females are prevalent than males in all races and in the general population. Compared to the previous year’s demographics, say the year 200, the entire city’s population had 16539 males and 17538 males. This implies that the entire population has decreased and thus affecting the distribution of males and females across the city (City Data, 2013). The trend in the city’s demography can project the future’s trend; the population will continue to reduce as the gender populations also reduce. Age Eastpointe’s population is dominated by people around the age of 36 years, with the median of males being 34 years and that of females being 37 years. Compared to the nation’s and the state’s average age, Eastpointe’s average age is relatively low. Thus, the city population’s distribution in terms of age is as follows: Under the age of 5 years, we have a population of 2126 people, between 10 to 14 years we have 2,397 people, between 15 to 19 years we have 2540 people, between 20 to 24 years we have 1868 people, between 25 to 34 years we have 4401 people, between 35 to 44 years we have 4847 people, between 45 to 54 years we have 4810 people, between 55 to 64 years we have 3528 people, between 65 to 74 years we have 1571 people, between 75 to 84 years we have 1397 people and over 85 years we have 709 people. This distribution depicts that the population of the city has many people between the ages of 25 to 64 years. Compared to the previous years’ statistics, say the year 2000, the most prevalent ages was between 25 and 64 years but on average 2000’s population was greater than the 2013 population. Thus, all indications points to a decrease in the city’s population over the years (City Data. 2013). Household Household comprise of people who stay or live in a same dwelling place, share meals, accommodation. It may consist of single families or other groups of people living together. In cases where a single dwelling consist of people who do not share meals or living space, the group is deemed to be having multiple households. Thus, it qualifies to be one of the major unit social and economic analyses. In Eastpointe City, demographics present a number of household types by population. In total, there are about 13595 households in the city. According to household type, family households are about 8961, those with children under eighteen years are 4107, the married couple households are 6613, households with only female are 1668, nonfamily households are 4634 and those with individuals above sixty five years are 4246. Hence, the average household size for the city is 2.50 whereas the average size of families is 3.11. Crime rate in the city, as compared to Macomb County and Michigan State, Eastpointe’s is higher. It has a property crime rate of 4.36% whereas the county has 3.36% and the State has 3.21%. On the other hand, violent crime of the city is 0.77%, much higher than the county’s 0.42% and the State’s 0.56%. Thus, property crime in the city is relatively higher than the violent crime. These percentages represent the people who are affected by the crime. In the previous years, the crime rate in the city was relatively higher; it has just increased due to lessened policies and high level of unemployment in the city. If the level of unemployment is going to remain the same or increase, the rate of crime will continue to rise. Income refers to the total earnings over a given period of time. Household income for the city, on average is $46261 which is slightly higher than the State’s household income which is $44667. The family income for the city, on average, is $54895; which is slightly more than that of the State $53457. Per Capita Income of the city, on the other, is lower than that of the State. Eastpointe has a per capita income of $20655 on average whereas the state has a per capita income of $22168. Compared to the previous years, the city’s average income has slightly increased due to improved security and investments. The rate of unemployment in Eastpointe city is above the State’s and national’s rate. The city had an unemployment rate of 4.1% in the year 2000 as the State reported 3.7% and the nation 4.0%. In the year 2010, the unemployment rate increased to 17.1%. Similarly, the states’ and nation’s unemployment rate increased to 13.2% and 9.5% respectively. Unemployment rate has always been an indicator of poverty level in any population. Thus, the poverty level of the city is 6.4%, less than the state’s average of 10.1% and the nation’s average of 12.3% as per the year 2013 statistics. Looking at the previous data, the rates have increased as a result of increased rate of unemployment across the city, state and the nation (Infloplease, 2000). Close to 17054 people in the city, out of about 32400, makes the labor force of the Eastpointe. The city has 1008 small businesses which serve its entire population. A keen look at the city’s labor force, the growth of jobs between the year 2012 and 2013 has been quite low, -1.1%. A greater percentage of the city’s population is educated. Approximately 83.51% of the entire Eastpointe’s population, above the age of 18 has, on the lower side, a HS diploma or a GED. Compared to the state’s level of education, Eastpointe’s portion of learned people is slightly lower; 88.21% of the people in Michigan State, above the age of 18 years, have a HS diploma. The nation’s proportion of educated people above the age of 18 years is close to 95.47%. Thus, Eastpointe is ranked position 521 nationally education-wise. Effect of Changes in demographic on community policing Aspects of demography have a greater influence on community policing. These aspects comprise of race, education, income, unemployment rate, age, gender and household. To start with, race has a significant influence on policing. Eastpointe is a city with majority of whites. Thus, when creating policies to govern the city, the majority race will support laws that will favor them, not caring about the other minor races such as the blacks and natives (Ferris, 1995). Income distribution or rather disparities is an indication of how wealth is distributed across the city. High income earners and wealthy people in Eastpointe are increasingly dominating the city’s economy. Thus, in creating policies to govern the city’s economy, these wealthy people take advantage of their influence by proposing laws in favor of their property. Low income earners in such cases will always operate under the set laws, whether favored or not. The percentage of education in a population has an impact on the community policing. Greater percentage of Eastpointe city has earned at least a HS diploma. Thus, in creating policies for the city, sound and appropriate policies are always made since the policy makers base them on their broad understanding of the policy and how they can be implemented. This is in favor of everyone covered in the population. Therefore, as the percentage of educated people increase, the more stable and appropriate policies are made in the city. Unemployment rate is a significant aspect in any demography. Policies that govern the rate of employment or rather unemployment in an area are best implemented when majority of the people in the population are employed. Thus, with increasing unemployment rate in Eastpointe, implementation of these policies will be quite difficult as a greater portion of the population will be busy in the job market looking for employment opportunities which are not available. Age distribution also has an impact on policing in the city. Majority of the people in the population are between the ages of 25 to 64 years. This implies that, majority of policy makers fall in that age bracket. Thus, all the policies which are created will have to favor people falling in this age group. Younger and older individuals being less in the city have no influence on policy making. In conclusion, Eastpointe is a city whose demography or rather whose general population is reducing as compared to the previous years. With aspects such as unemployment rate on the rising end, people are moving to other cities or regions in search for better jobs in order to improve their living standards. In addition, the city has a relatively high poverty level as a result of high unemployment rate. This is evident with the households and income distribution across the population. References City Data. (2013). Eastpointe, Michigan. Retrieved From: http://www.city-data.com/city/Midland-Michigan.html Infoplease (2000). Eastpointe, Michigan. Retrieved From: http://www.infoplease.com/us/census/data/michigan/eastpointe/demographic.html Ferris, J. N. (1995). Demographic, Social and Economic Trends. Michigan State University. Print Locallabs (2012). Eastpointe, Michigan data snapshot. Retrieved From: http://locallabs.org/eastpointe-michigan Read More