Crime Reduction in the USA - Book Report/Review Example

Crime Reduction in the US Introduction Most US s experienced a rapid rise in crime during the twentieth century. There was rampant poverty in most states and a lot of neighborhoods in these cities were crime-driven and dangerous places. Many gangs and drug cartels existed during the twentieth century that conducted a lot of criminal activities in the US. Prostitution was also rampant and young girls were being forced into sex by gangs. The twentieth century is particularly the worst century in the US history that experienced a high rate of criminal activities. Due to this rise in crime, the authorities dealing with control of crime had to devise ways to stop the rising rate of criminal activities. This operation proved successful especially in the years between 1990 and 2000. The crime rate for these serious crimes dropped in significant numbers. Experts argue that the changes and advancement in technology, as well as strict policing aided in the crime reduction. All cities and states in the US experienced this reduction in crime. New York City even experienced crime reduction by a larger number than the rest of the state cities. This paper will focus on the reasons for the reduction in crime based on ‘The city That Became Safe: NYs Lessons for Urban Crime and its Control’. The paper will also analyze the possibilities that may exist to ensure crime reduces in a significant amount. In the 1990s, the crime rate reduction in the US reduced by about 40%. In this same period, the crime rate in New York City fell by almost 80%. In The city That Became Safe: NYs Lessons for Urban Crime and its Control’, Professor Franklin Zimring analyzes the statistical data relating to the crime rate reduction in New York City. He also elaborates the various reasons that led to the decrease in crime by such a significant percentage. In the book, Zimring also challenges the stereotype that many institutions have regarding high levels of criminal activities. He discards the ideas that a high rate of crime cannot be avoided. He suggests that the continuous practice of conviction, as well as arrests that result to incarceration may be the solution to reduce crime by significant amounts. Zimring argues that the increase in incarceration accompanied by long sentences tends to discourage criminals from the streets. Zimring also suggests other policies that will ensure the crime rate reduction is always successful. He argues that there should be introduction of improved law enforcement plans that may incorporate innovative technology and computer analysis advancements. He also supports the waning of the crack cocaine menace that was rampant during the 1980s (Zimring 2012). The data presented illustrates that the largest decline occurred during the 1990s and from 2000; there were only small additional declines. The violent and property crimes decreased at respective rates of 48% and 38%. However, the average crime rates in all the cities fell more sharply than the total crime in the country. Hence, the cities became relatively safer especially New York City. The suburbs also experienced a decrease in crime however; the decline was not as significant as in the cities. The difference between the suburban crime rates and the city crime rates reduced from 4,100 to 2,100 crimes per 100,000 people. In the book, Zimring identifies three distinct parts in the crime reduction. On the first part, he addresses the decline in crime in New York City using various statistical data and analyses. He also addresses the safety condition of the city. In the second part, Zimring uses deductive reasoning to explain the rationale behind the significant crime reduction in the US. In this part, he eliminates common stereotypes about crime and finds possible explanations for the big difference in New York City. In the last part, he identifies the strategies employed that led to the effective reduction in crime in New York, as well as other cities. Zimring applies various index offenses that he believes were more rampant in creating crime situations in the US. These crimes include auto theft, burglary, aggravated assault, robbery, rape, homicide, as well as larceny(Zimring 2012). He identifies that the length of the decline of these offenses were remarkable in New York City as it represented a twice reduction in the crime rate that had occurred nationally. These various index offenses had consequential and motivational differences that Zimring identified. He also suggestedthat the magnitude of the crime rate reduction was accompanied by a geographical component. Compared to other metropolises in the US, Zimring considers New York City as a ‘safe’ place to live. It is also evident that the change in demographics is not a good indicator of the crime reduction. A rising affluent population could not explain effectively the reduction in crime. Even though the incarceration rate among the young adults and the youths increased in the 1990s, very few people imprisoned came from New York City. In a bid to challenge the interplay of drug trafficking, he presents analyses that indicate the non-existent factor in the appreciable reduction of drug trafficking(Zimring 2012). For New York City to succeed in the reduction of crime, it had to employ various strategies. These strategies changed the policing philosophy of the city.The first strategy regarded the reduction of crime in New York as the main priority. The second strategy involved the allocation of sustained resources to identifying and controlling various hotspots. The last strategy incorporated aggressive police behavior in form of frisking and minor offense arrests. It is during this time that Compstats was employed(Zimring 2012). It is a system that analyzes crime statistics and information to allow organizational functioning of the police department, as well as their enforcement techniques. When the system was employed into the various police departments, it resulted to centralized coordination of the police activities. Furthermore, the number of police was increased. As put forward by Zimring, the police manpower in the police department of New York City in 2000 resulted to a 121.9% rise in level than the previous levels during the 1990s. Sustained monitoring, aggressive intervention in the streets, and enforcing the hot spots acted as the only basic tactics that the police employed. The book also clearly demonstrates that common types of violence particularly drug-driven violence is easily obtainable without the reductions in drug trafficking. Zimring also suggests that at some point, crime and violence are present in urban life(Zimring 2012). However, every city must choose to maintain its crime level at the lowest point in relation to its ability. He also stresses out that the majority of the street crimes do not account as necessary aspects of big modern cities in America. Statistics obtained from the FBI record sharp drops in crime reduction despite the levels of unemployment that continued to rise. This reduction has saved more lives and also prevented more potential criminals from being victims of crime. According to Zimring, the fall in crime can also be explained by the fall in demand for cocaine. It was during this time that the dangers of using crack as a drug were unveiled in supplementation with aggressive policing. Due to reduction in crack use, the gun violence also decreased(Zimring 2012). Even though the incarceration of their dealers increased, there was violence among the gangs. However, the police department restored order. Smarter policing was particularly helpful in New York City and Laredo city in Texas. This system enabled every motorist to register their number plates into an advanced police database. In turn, patrol cars were able to verify the owners of the car as they had access to the system. This system helped to curb car theft networks that had long existed. The system policing also provided education to the general public about various methods they could utilize to prevent crime, as well as promote the anti-theft strategies. Technology has conducted a major function in ensuring detectives possess powerful tools. Some of these tools have the ability to analyze DNA and blood samples. These devices can also analyze any forensic evidence that may be required to assess criminal situations. Through Compstats, the electronic ‘hot spot’ plotting has enabled the police department to establish more areas that are likely to conduct criminal activities. Technology has ensured the training and education of law enforcement personnel. Zimring also incorporated the theory of ‘broken window’ to explain the reduction of crime. In this theory, Zimring holds that the areas that are vandalized or run down by police are the areas that are prone to serious criminal activities than the rest of the places. The advancements in technology hold the key to the reduction of criminal activities presently and in the future. More systems and frameworks may be devised that will allow complete coverage of areas reported to have high criminal activities. However, with the stern rules that are being devised by the government, criminal activities are likely to reduce. Strict sentences are being placed upon criminals and this phenomenon discourages other criminal gangs and persons from participating in crime(Zimring 2012). From a critical perspective, the society is becoming smart in its efforts to address criminal activities. More communities are being educated on various preventive and cautionary measures that they should apply in case of crimes. These social services and programs are incorporated during times when crime is prevalent; for example, at night or after school when a lot of students complete their studies. Legalizing abortion may have added to the reduction rate in crime. Legalized abortion may be incorporated to explain the significant drops in violent and property crime, as well as murder. It has allowed women not to give births in less ideal environments that could result to crime in an effort to provide basic needs for the children. This situation is evident among the low class group in the society that has difficulties in accessing basic needs. Zimring also suggests that there are high possibilities that almost a half of the total reduction in crime may have been attributed to legalized abortion. This opinion can also be based on the decided case of Roe v. Wade (1973) that ruled in favoritism in precluding unborn children. From a personal opinion, another way to reduce crime is controlling the weapons given to the public. The use of weapons leads to violence, law-breaking, and criminal activities. People are acquiring weapons in the name of self-defense but in the end, they end up harming other citizens or in the worst-case scenario killing them. Some people are even getting certificates and licenses to possess such arms thatthey get to use it for conducting crime activities. Others even acquire firearms illegally through the help of corrupt policemen andgovernment officials. Instead of using the weapons for protection, they tend use them to attack other citizens and carry out robbery or even killing. An increase in the number of people possessing weapons will lead to increase in criminal activities. Research has shown that the crime rates rise proportionally to the amount of weapons acquired by civilian population. There is, therefore, need to regulate or reduce the possession of guns by the individuals. The only way to fulfill the need of people in maintaining law and order is by preventing the civilians from acquiring weapons.President Bill Clinton passed Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act in 1994. The law incorporated the checking of a person’s criminal background before giving the license of a weapon. This law should be implementedto avoid rising crime rates. Conclusion From the above analysis, it is clear that ‘The city That Became Safe: NYs Lessons for Urban Crime and its Control’ illustrates well how crime reduction was achieved during the 1990s. The book also clearly illustrates that the continued implementation of these policies will ensure the crime rates remain at minimum levels, not only in the US, but other countries as well. Reference Zimring, F. E. (2012).The city that became safe: New York’s lessons for urban crime and its control. New York, NY: Oxford UniversityPress. Read More