Burglary in NY and Robbery in Chicago and Detroit in Contrast with Findings of National Data - Essay Example

These reports are restricted in that they provide little information about the characteristics of crimes, victims, offenders, or arrests. Consequently, the use of these data in research and policy analysis is not adequate. According to Mawby (pg 38), burglary is a crime that involves entering a building to commit an offense. In most cases the offense involves theft, but most fields specify others that fall within the realm of burglary. For an offense to be classified as burglary, the use of force to gain entry need not have to take place.

In this relation, the uniform crime reports Program has three sub-classifications for burglary which include forceful entrance, illegal entrance where no force is used, and attempted forceful entrance. The crime rate in New York has steadily declined over the past 10 years. As of 2009, New York City has the lowest crime rate among the ten largest cities in the United States. Since 1991, the city has seen a continuous nineteen-year trend of decreasing crime. Neighboring cities that were once considered unsafe are now much safer.

The largest reductions in crime rate were reported for motor vehicle theft and burglary. In general, the rate of crimes in New York per100, 000 occupant population has gone down 33% since 1998. Overall, in about 84% of all burglaries, the offender gained entry into the victim's residence or other buildings on the property. According to the uniform crime reports, the New York burglary rates from 1960 to 2009 have gone down. In 1960, the number was at 183,443 which went on increasing until 1980 when it was at its peak (360,925).

From then, the number started declining and was at 65,735 in 2008. However, given that crime is illegal, measurements of burglary in New York City are likely to be inaccurate. About a study carried out by Shadrack in 2009, most burglars in New York City are jobless and are males who engage in drug abuse. They are usually between the ages of 21-35 years. However, a few cases of female burglars have been reported. This is in support of the national data of The Uniform Crime reports which indicate 82% of male burglars.

Question 2: Robbery in Chicago and Detroit On the other hand, Chicago and Detroit have adversely been affected by various forms of robbery over the past years. However, the number has declined due to some strategic measures which have been put into place. In essence, robbery involves the application of force or a real threat of force used to rob money or property from a victim (Zimring and Zuel 24). Robbery ranges from purse-snatch and heist in the street or home by hijacking and bank, it is therefore known as a versatile and multifarious crime.

According to the Uniform crime reports, the robbery cases reported as of 2009 in Chicago (200,098) and Detroit (198,054) show a significant decline from previous years. This has also been attributed to policing forces that have been put into place. According to McClain (34), since robbery is an avaricious offense and one involving personal confrontation, both the law and criminal statistics show confusion in classifying it. Some penal classifications, such as the one used in federal statutes, place robbery among property offenses.