Weapon Act Offenses in North Brisbane, Queensland - Coursework Example

Weapon Act offences in North Brisbane (Queensland) Crime Prevention Introduction As economies prospers, individual and organizations needs and demands increases, people may for one reason or another defy or in fringe on laws and policies established , which are meant to foster order, peace and harmony that exists in a particular social or business environment. This results in crime. Crime constitutes a violation of laws and regulations for which penal measures and justice against these violations are administered through implemented legal systems as defined by Dworkin (2005). Crime is described differently for different human societies in varied jurisdictions be it local and international and at diverse stages of crime (Murkherjee et al. 1997). The stages of crime describes various processes that are involved before the crime is completed which includes deliberating, strategizing, disclosure and allegedly intended or prepared for and incomplete offences. Despite comprehensive legal systems that have been established to fight and combat crime, majority of the present day crimes still remain unreported, undocumented, unproven and unresolved, which means there are crime implementers and suspects who have walked free after committing crimes (Dworkin, 2005). There are as varied causes of crime as there is type of crimes which includes, social factors, psychological, political, economic, behavioural and biological causes of crime (Murkherjee et al. 1997). It is identifying these causes that crime prevention initiatives are developed and implemented. This forms the basis of this report which is to explicitly analyze weapon act offences in North Brisbane, Queensland Australia and examining feasible and viable crime prevention measures in curbing weapon acts offences in this area. Structure of the report The structure of the report will entail establishing the crime problem by highlighting evidence of weapons act offences, identifying its size and examining why it occurs at North Brisbane. In addition, through reviewing literature on weapons act offences, the report will highlight why the crime problem occurs, establish plans and a range of interventions that best prevent it and identify recommended approaches to deal with weapon acts offences. It will be crucial to examine the resource and cost implications and identify suitable stakeholders to oversee intervention strategies. Finally, a highlight on possible impediments to implementing the recommended prevention strategies will be outlined. Outline of geographic location North Brisbane, Queensland North Brisbane is northern part of the Brisbane city, which is capital city of the state of Queensland and the most populous of the state and third in Australia (ABS, 2011). The city of Brisbane has a population capacity of more than two million people (Gregory, 2007). According to (ABS, 2011), the coordinates for Brisbane are 27°28′04″S 153°01′40″E / 27.46778°S 153.02778°E / -27.46778; 153.02778 and located 1450 NNE of Canberra, 1969km North East of Adelaide, 931km north of Sidney city, 4262km East of Perth and1691km North East of Melbourne city. Presently, Brisbane city is reputed for having the largest economy between Sidney and Singapore (Gregory, 2007). Weapons acts offences in North Brisbane In relation to security and defence, North Brisbane is under Metro North Police. For this report, analysis of weapons acts offences in North Brisbane will highlight key areas which are namely Arundell, Ballinger, Bellah, Birch, Black Bean, Boondooma, Castleroy, Chapman, Chisholm, Coolmunda, Crofty, Dimbulah, Faheys, Fairhaven, Flamingo, Franklin, Gidgee, Gum Leaf, Keong, Marara, Osprey, Silkyoak, Silvereye, Sturt, Sussex, in AL bany Creek, Ballinger in Albany Creek. Among other areas are Thames, Tinaroo, Wilson and Windemere in Albany Creek (Metro North Info. 2011). The analysis will also include facts and figures on weapons acts offences in Albion, Gore and Mclennan in Albion, Affleck, Andrew, Elgen, Farrington, Kate, Raymont, Verdun, Denman and Banks in Alderley (Metro North Info. 2011). A peculiar observation in relation to the weapons acts offences that have occurred in North Brisbane in the above mentioned areas are that no property has been involved. Statistical crime data on North Brisbane, Queensland shows that weapons acts offences as a crime problem is more prevalent in certain areas than in others. For instance, in the year 2010, the number that weapons acts offences occurred in Circuit were twenty times, in Chisholm twenty times, in Fairhaven approximately eleven times, in Wilson eighteen times, in Banks seventeen times, in Raymont ten times and in Verdun estimated twenty times based on the cases filed in the Metro North police reports (Metro North Info. 2011). Most notably, majority of the weapons acts offences occurred during the dates immediately prior to and immediately after end month while most occurrences being noted between midday and throughout to past midnight in the areas noted for most weapon acts offences incidents. Another point to note is that majority of weapons acts offences incidents occurred on specific days of the week most outstandingly on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, which illustrates a preference for weekends (Metro North Info. 2011). Compared to other types of crime in North Brisbane, Queensland, the weapons acts offences are moderately high with leading type of crimes being stealing from dwellings and drug offences (Metro North Info. 2011). The increased incidents of weapons acts offences during the calendar close to end month can be attributed to the fact that majority of people in employment especially those employed by companies and in the public service receive their monthly remunerations around this time. In addition, it is around this time that majority of corporate companies and institutions transfer substantial amounts of cash and other valuables to their creditors and from debtors. The prevalence of weapons acts offences incidents during weekends can be attributed to the fact that it is during weekends that majority of people are carrying their money around to spend in shopping and recreation and majority of women are wearing their best jewellery for the weekend days or nights out. Another notable thing about weapons acts offences as a crime problem in North Brisbane, Queensland is that most incidents in the year 2010 occurred around the month of January especially for the locations with the high prevalence rates (Metro North Info. 2011). For example, majority of weapons acts offences in Circuit occurred in January and February, January and February in Chisolm, January and February in Wilson with exceptions of Verdun and Banks where weapons acts offences were mostly committed and reported in the month of March and April. Weapon acts offences are carried in the weapons Act 1999. According to the Act, there are two types of weapons which include controlled weapons and prohibited weapons. Prohibited weapons encompasses weapons such as ballistic knives, acoustic shock weapon, arm –braced catapult, blow pipe or a disguised knife or sword which are highlighted in Schedule one of the weapons Regulations 1999. According to the weapons Act 1999, it is considered a crime to be in possession of, carry, buy, sell and produce any weapons which are prohibited. Significantly, there are no exceptions to this regulation. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) (2011), knives and fire arms are the most commonly used weapons, in weapon acts offences. Although the use of firearms in criminal offences has been decreasing, they are still in use by gangs and those trading in drug market for protection. The increased use of knives can be associated with enhanced affordability and accessibility by majority of offenders, ease in carriage of knives since they can easily be concealed and its ease in usability since no skills are required prior to its use compared to using a gun or any other biological or nuclear weapons such as bombs as noted by Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) (2011). In addition, it’s easy to erase or dispose off a knife after an offence has committed. Major contributing factors to weapons acts offences in North Brisbane Based on a study carried out by Bondy, Ogilvie & Astbury (2005) on young people in the 10-25 age brackets in relation to possession, carriage and use of knives in criminal incidents, younger people tended to possess and carry knives but eventually the tendency would wear off while older ones possessed, carried and used knives in conducting drug- related criminal offences as highlighted by Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) (2011). According to Bondy, Ogilvie & Astbury (2005, p. 113), fear, social influence and vulnerability are the main determinants of possession and carriage of knives followed by susceptibility of the young people to use of drugs, personality, psychological problems and poor academic conduct. CRC (2000) suggests that possession, carriage and use of weapons such as knives in relation to weapon acts offences, should be dealt with from a wide social system in order to develop and implement effective and efficient crime prevention measures and interventions. Bondy, Ogilvie & Astbury (2005, p. 114) notes that war on weapon acts offences can only be won by persistent efforts to engage the young population in activities that are socially and economically feasible and viable to not only empower them financially but also, to equip them with virtuous social skills. In addition, concerned stakeholders such as the community and the government should minimize the supposed or actual degree of threat and risks that exists in societal environments. According to Ogilvie (2000, p.1), knives are utilized during armed robberies in two to three times the rates of use of firearms. The author mentions that the significant rise in weapons act offences is as a result of limited focus on one particular weapon used in crime incidents, which have profound impact on justice system policy advancement. The author further indicates that the mere fact that different jurisdictions legally define weapons differently initiates inconsistencies which develop loopholes in the legal system on the use of the same in criminal incidents such as armed robberies. For example, New South Whales define knives under the prohibited weapons to include ballistic knife, flick knife or sheath knife while Australian Capital Territory under crime amendments act 1998 describe a knife as a razor blade or any other blade and at the same time, Tasmania offers a general definition on the same. As Ogilvie (2000, pg 4) indicates, the degree of weapons acts offences is directly proportional to two significant elements, which are namely availability and the intent for use. This means that a person is more likely to possess, carry and use a weapon based on accessibility and availability of the said weapon. In addition, the intention on what the weapon will be used for, influences the choice of weapon, possessed and carried as echoed by Morrison & O’Donnell (1996). This factor goes hand in hand with substitution of weapon where for example, if the intent of a criminal is to kill, they are more likely to buy, carry or use a weapon in a crime to specifically help them carry out their intention, which is to kill as supported by Wolfgang (1958). However, if the weapon preferred is unavailable, the criminal is more likely to look for an alternative weapon to accomplish their goal, in this case, to kill. This means that for crime prevention measures on weapon acts offences to succeed, there should be a comprehension on the two elements of intent and availability. Therefore, the prevalent rates of weapons acts offences in North Brisbane, Queensland can be associated with the intent or the purpose the criminal offender, availability of the weapons, accessibility to the weapons and ease in substituting the weapons to fit the criminal intent as supported by Carcach & Mouzos (2000). Furthermore, ease in concealment to avoid detection, ineffective policy and legal frameworks, lack of collaboration among concerned stakeholders, perceived or actual risk, social influence and vulnerability of the weapon carrier (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011). Range of strategies to prevent weapons act offences in North Brisbane There are varied but effective strategies that can be effective and efficient in preventing occurrence of weapons acts offences in North Brisbane which includes investment in community policing. The war on weapons acts offences just as any other crime problems can adequately be dealt with by developing comprehensive community policing systems and frameworks where varied stakeholders which include the community and security agencies such as the Metro Police actively collaborate and engage in identifying, detecting and preventing criminal incidences. Through partnerships such as community based security patrols, establishment of home guards, installation of security systems that are efficiently responded to, whistle blowing and use of tipsters are among some of the basic ways to identify potential criminals, detecting crime and preventing weapon acts offences from occurring or recurring as supported by CRC (2000). The main contributing factor to weapons acts offences is accessibility and availability of particular weapons. Carcach & Mouzos (2000) indicates that prevention of the crime problem can also be dealt with by limiting availability and accessibility to weapons and more so, restricting carriage which eventually leads to usage in criminal activities. This can be achieved by developing stringent laws and policies with consistent definition of what a prohibited weapon such as a knife is and developing more punitive measures for offenders. Putting the suggestions brought forward by Ogilvie (2000) on the element of availability and intent as the contributing factors to weapons acts offences, concerned stakeholders especially policy makers should understand how the elements of availability and intent influence possession, carriage and usage of weapons before making any new changes to existing policy and legislative guidelines. By first understanding, it will help to develop and implement policies that are specifically aligned to address the pattern in usage of weapons and the attitudes, purpose and motivation of criminals, which is crucial in establishing adequate policies and laws to counter and safeguard against weapon acts offences as noted by Wolfgang (1958). Recommendations for an effective prevention strategy Apart from considering the impact on availability and intent and developing effective community policing frameworks, weapons acts offences in North Brisbane can be prevented by ensuring that penalties awarded to weapon usage such as knives are as much severe as those awarded to use of weapons, such as firearms. This is because, despite the high prevalent use of knives in armed robberies, punishment for knives possession, carriage and usage is much less compared to possession, carriage and usage of a fire arm (Ogilvie, 2000, p. 6). This may explains why offenders may opt to use a knife over a gun, which is to evade harsher convictions if convicted. In addition, since weapons acts offences are mainly committed by young people who are mostly under social influence, are vulnerable and have a great fear of perceived or actual risk which greatly determines their possessing, carrying and using a weapon, the community and the Australian government have a joint responsibility to equip the youths with the skills and power to make better decisions. In addition, equip them with skills and knowledge on how to make an honest living, shun activities such as drug use which may compel them to indulge in criminal activities and more importantly, develop a risk-free environment for them (AIC, 2011). Providing equal educational opportunities among indigenous and non-indigenous people, offering equal employment opportunities for them, developing sustainable social economic developments, developing community based solutions to weapon acts offences such as community policing and developing stricter rules and laws on activities that enhance levels of weapons acts offences such as organized crime, drug use and smuggling are among ways the Australian government with collaboration with local security agencies (Metro Police) and the North Brisbane community can sufficiently prevent weapon acts offences among other types of crimes in North Brisbane as suggested by Australian Institute of Criminology (2011). This is because, among reasons cited for involvement in crime such as weapons acts offences include lack of stable source of income, poor educational opportunities, prevalence of activities such as organized crime and drug use, social influence, opportunities to commit crime and imbalance among social levels especially between genders, cultures, race, age and educational backgrounds as discussed by CRC (2000). Moreover, community awareness programs are necessarily in educating the North Brisbane community on the significant negative impact of weapons acts offences as a crime and the great need to prevent it. This should be coupled with equipping them with knowledge on how to protect themselves and how they can contribute in preventing the offences from occurring by limiting opportunities for it to occur, which includes effective use of locks, enhanced surveillance, use of safer money handling processes and limiting amount of cash carried at one time. The prevention of weapon acts offences in North Brisbane should not only rely on development and implementation of stricter policies and laws by the legal and judicial systems but also, on close partnerships and collaboration between the government, research agencies and institutions such as the Australian Institute of Criminology, local security agencies such as the Metro Police, defence departments and the North Brisbane community (AIC, 2011). Be it as it may, there are resources and cost implications which include increased financial resources, time, human resources, commitment and accountability required by and from each stakeholder to ensure the interventions are successful. These resources and costs are required to facilitate community based social economic development projects, enhancing surveillance systems, enhancing community lighting, installation of street cameras and closed circuit TVs, facilitating community policing, research, policy making processes and rehabilitation of convicted offenders of weapons acts offences as supported by AIC (2011). Barriers to strategy implementation The success of the recommended strategies to prevent weapons acts offences in North Brisbane relies heavily on collaboration and partnership among concerned stakeholders. Therefore, lack of accountability, commitment, transparency and planning among these stakeholders would act as a great impediment. In addition, lack of adequate resources allocated to ensuring the required systems are running and operating in the long term will mean the long term goals of safeguarding against the crime problem will not be achieved, which will lead to an upsurge in levels of weapons acts offences in North Brisbane. Conclusion Presently, there are numerous types and categories of crime ranging from social, economic, political, environmental, cyber crimes, violence, transnational and organized crime to property crime and juvenile delinquency which are mainly contributed by social, political, environmental factors. This report has explicitly analyzed weapons acts offences as a crime problem in North Brisbane, Queensland and has identified effective interventions and strategies of preventing the crime problem from occurring. The strategies recommended are social, environmental and political in nature which is crucial in preventing crime problems whose root causes are social, environmental and political respectively. The main contributing factors for weapons acts offences in North Brisbane are availability, intent, accessibility, social influence, ineffective policy and legal systems and lack of collaboration among concerned stakeholders among others. Recommended strategies include better employment and education for both indigenous and non-indigenous Australian youths, understanding the impact of availability and intent to construct new policies and laws on crime prevention, partnerships among stakeholders, community policing and community education among others. References Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 2011. Regional population growth, Australia, 2009-10. Accessed from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/3218.0~2009-10~Main+Features~Main+Features?OpenDocument Retrieved on 28th Aug 2011 Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). 2011. Crime Prevention. Accessed from http://www.aic.gov.au/en/crime_types/in_focus/crimeprevention.aspx Retrieved on 28th Aug 2011. Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). 2011. Knife crime: recent data on carriage and use. Accessed from http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/401-420/tandi417.aspx Retrieved on 28th Aug 2011 Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). 2011. Weapons. Accessed from http://www.aic.gov.au/crime_types/violence/weapons.aspx Carcach, C. and Mouzos, J. 2000. Modeling Weapon Use by Offenders of Armed Criminology Research Council (CRC). 2000. Youth and Knives: A Qualitative Examination of Knife Use among Australian Adolescents. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. Dworkin, R. 2005. Taking Rights Seriously. Harvard University Press. 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