The Problem of Homicides in Puerto Rico - Term Paper Example

?Running head: Homicide in Puerto Rico Address Essay Outline. This section introduces the topic by defining and giving the significant statistic related to the problem of Homicide in Puerto Rico. Statement of the Problem. Statistics concerning the problem of Homicides in Puerto Rico are discussed. For example, 50% of the people of Puerto Rico live below the poverty line to support the fact that poverty is one of the leading causes. Other causes such as disorganization, failure to follow the law, lack of social bond, weak social structures and unemployment are stated. The Main Ideas The main ideas are summarized into two major points. 1. Poverty and Social disorganization. These two points are related as poverty leads to youths being formed in gangs that are an aspect of social disorganization. The idea is supported by several theories, which are; theory of strain, relative deprivation theory, broken windows theory and social ecological theories. The theories are then summarized. 2. Social Development and Social Control. The two points are also related as most social development aspects enhance social control. The points are discussed to be the second cause of homicides and crime in general. The theories that support these are discussed which are; social development theory, interactional theory, social reaction theory, social control theory, conflict theory and macro level theory of crime. A Professional analysis and Recommendation. This section discusses the professional perspective on the causes that could have led to homicides in Puerto Rico. The recommendations are also discussed from a professional point of view supported by the theories supporting the main points. For instance, unemployment and poverty leads to idleness and drug trafficking that in turn result to crimes like homicides. Theory of strain supports this as well as relative deprivation theory. Recommendations are also given in reference to the theories discussed. For instance, the police should not side with the community in fighting those involved in homicides since they are likely to rebel and not change, they should supplement the community policing efforts. This is supported by macro level theory of crime. Table of contents Abstract Homicide is a term used to refer to a death that results from injuries inflicted purposely by another person. Puerto Rico is a term used to refer to a US territory. In 2004, homicides were listed the 12th leading cause of deaths, 5th among men and 12th among women. Between 1999 and 2003, 93% of the homicide victims were aged below 30. Statement of the Problem According to a New York Times article, about 600 murders had occurred in 2003 as reported by police in 2003. Police in Puerto Rico had also reported almost 800 murders. The most common method of homicide was assault by use of firearm while use of sharp objects came in second. Use of firearms was the cause of 90.1% of homicides among male victims and 65.4% among female. Assault by objects followed while the other causes were less significant. Homicides were most common in urban areas. The New York Times refers to one of Puerto Rico’s violent crime “front battles” (Goodnough, 2003). Considering that (Miralba, Velez & Crosby, 2006). Cases of homicides increased in Puerto Rico. This is because 50% of the population was said to be living below the poverty line by 2004. This meant that most youths were organized in gangs due to unemployment. This is seen as an aspect of social disorganization. In addition, lack of strong social institutions and social control is a cause of homicides. The government through the Puerto Rico’s Homicide Investigation Authority initiated a comprehensive strategy that included advanced integrated surveillance system. This was to monitor assaults both fatal and non-fatal (Miralba, Velez & Crosby, 2006). However, the government could not address the problem without knowing the real causes of violence that led to homicides. Therefore, it promoted and supported research on interpersonal violence to establish the causes of the homicides and issues surrounding them. Poverty Theory of strain The fact that poverty is high in Puerto Rico makes youths to organize themselves in gangs. This leads to social disorganization, which is a major cause of crime such as homicides. Many people struggle to make ends meet. According to Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton, strain results to instances in which a population places a strong culture in achieving wealth and material possession (Siegel, 2001; Barkan, 2006; and Vold, Bernard, & Snipes, 2002). Strain also occurs also when a society is changing to become more complex and organic which is the situation in Puerto Ricos. Moreover, how the society is structured also limits the ability of the poor to achieve their goals through socially acceptable means since they lack opportunities. Relative Deprivation Theory Relative deprivation theory indicates that when some individuals in a society are successful, the lower class is motivated to commit crime to improve their standard of living too. This is where an individual compares him/herself with the surrounding, which is a comparative process that takes place in the minds of people (Werber, 2007). Youths in Puerto Ricos could be killing each other due to competition among themselves and as a result, jealousy, greed and envy make them kill each other. Social disorganization proves that slum life create an inclination to commit crime (Siegel, 2001). Crime related to acquiring property can lead to homicides. This happens where the individual steals to acquire what they do not have and neighbors have. However, Shay and McKay in their discussion could be a reflection of how the police in a certain neighborhood arrest people based on their social status as they justify that slums give an inclination of crime taking place. Social Ecological Theories Moreover, other similar studies of social ecology have illustrated that ecological conditions such as poverty, low income, improper socialization within family and society and sub standard housing portrays individuals to crime. Neighborhoods with empty housing, lack of social organization and lack of social control tend to be involved in crimes most times. Recent studies on social disorganization also illustrates that social disorganization is a leading factor in delinquency due to the weakening of social values that control such organization (Barkan, 2006). People with a more descent life are not likely to engage in crime. Broken Windows theory Broken windows theory also relates to social disorganization as it relates neighborhood decay to crime increase. It stresses the need for communities to facilitate the prosecution of petty offences. If petty offences are not prosecuted, it is a sign showing that residents of that particular community are not interested in maintaining order in their own society and encourages more crimes to happen (Anonymous. 2002). This increases robbery, theft and burglary, theft vandalism, sale of narcotics and gang formation. Social construction, social meaning and social influence constitute to the social conception of avoidance of crime. It further stresses on the issue of community policing as it is the individuals in a society that determine what they want and define their values, then using social marketing they influence the behaviors of others in the community. It views the urban deterioration as a cause of crime as it is the case of Puerto Rico. Most homicides occurred in urban settings. In 2004, 60.3% of homicide victims were from urban settings. Social Development and Control Social development theory This model does not explain crime in the real sense but it is a complex systematic for addressing crime (Siegel 2001). It suggests ways in which crime can be reduced by eliminating the risk factors. These are higher standard of living, strengthened social institutions, strengthened social control, decrease in family decay and improvement on educational systems. The theory stipulates that family and community must work together to build a strong social bond with young people, children and adults by providing them with the positive social influence they need to instill the acceptable norms. Interactional theory Interactional theory supports that crime is traced from a breakdown of social bonds. It also explains that social class difference is a risk factor to address (Siegel; Thomberry, 1987). It further stipulates that the criminals will form bonds with their peers who share same poor value systems, which means that the criminals seek the company of other criminals. This leads to more crimes. People view crime in the context of how and what surrounds them (Dotter, 2004). Social control theory This theory focuses on the control that the society has in regard to influencing the behavior of individuals in it (Hirsch, 1969). For most people who uphold the society’s laws and norms, their behavior is checked by social elements like family, career goals, schools and community organizations as well as ethical standards within the society. Durkheim argues that behavior is controlled by social reactions like punishments (Williams & McShane, 1999). It concludes that when social norms and relationships breakdown, social control disappears. Social Reaction theory The theory is also referred to as the Labeling theory. It explains the society’s reaction to delinquencies and labeled criminals reactions to the labels. Labeling is how and what a society defines as deviant. By labeling an individual a criminal, it will lead him or her to act like one (Liska & Messner, 1999). Individuals are said to react to the images by living up to it. This creates stigma to most criminals as it gives them low self-respect, low self esteem and self-image. It is also said to lead to secondary deviance where the criminal will react to the labeling either by carrying on with the same crime or even others. Empirical evidence has supported this but only when the criminal has a conviction of the label. This means that it must be internalized. Conflict theory The theory stipulates that crime is a weapon of the haves and have-nots. Marxists refer to the differences in power as an instrument through which the powerful capitalists impose their standards on the poor. This means that crime is a representation of class struggle (Williams & McShane, 1999). The poor are forced into crime while the capitalists are more than ready to impose harsh punishments on them. The political and economic structure therefore contributes to weakening of the social bond leading to crime. Marxists argue that in socialistic states, crimes are lower as there is no conflict socio-economic status. Macro Level Theory of Crime According to this theory, individuals and their neighborhoods are recommended for taking actions to enforce the laws. This will cut down on the crime statistics. The groups control each other where the group in power regulates the weaker ones in the presence of police and major enforcement efforts (Vold, Bernard, & Snipes, 2002). Police should not be in support of any group in dealing with criminal activities. A Professional Analysis and Recommendation In my experience as a criminal justice practitioner, homicides could be caused by greed, jealous and envy where individuals want to compete with their neighborhoods. They want to acquire things easily that they do not have while they have weighed the benefits and the risk and in the process of eliminating the risk of being caught, they use firearm and sharp objects in protection, which leads to homicides. To acknowledge the theory of strain and social disorganization, criminal know what they are doing and hence use firearm to protect themselves. Social ecological theories support these. Poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, theft and drug crime are likely to cause homicides as stipulated by the theory of strain. Political marginality, unemployment, political marginality , and drug trafficking during the 1980s might make one think that Puerto Rico has more crime than the mainland (Montalvo-Barbot, 1997). This is because the youths who are unemployed will become idle and hopeless, start using drugs and engage in crime. It is in the process of engaging in criminal activities that they will kill, hence, homicides. Due to unemployment level, the people of Puerto Rico are also likely to engage in crime as a means to make money. In support of the Marxist theory, the rich will exploit the poor by sending them to organize and commit crime and pay them in return. This leads to homicides, as they will always protect themselves from being caught. The social learning theory is most appropriate in the cases of juvenile offenders and young offenders. This is because when a child sees a friend or family member commit a crime, they are likely to emulate them. This can be a cause of homicides in cases where young people grow in a society where homicides are not a big deal. This is also supported by the social control theory. Breakdown of norms in the society could be another cause. This is because if most of the members of the society have not defined homicides as unacceptable, it is likely that the homicides will reoccur. The Interactional theory best supports this. However, the social reaction theory is not likely to influence the existence of homicides. This is because the criminals are not known in most cases and again every individual struggles to have a reputable name. Even those alleged to have carried out the homicides defend themselves in a court of law. Every person wants to be the best and have the best self-image. Recommendations It is clear that poverty is the leading cause of crimes. 50 % of the population in Puerto Rico were said to live below the poverty line by 2004. In the case of Puerto Rico therefore, it is important for the government to put measures that will reduce the poverty levels. This will make many people be independent which will reduce greed, envy, jealous among them, hence reduced rates of homicides. There is a need to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. This will reduce class struggle and hence fewer conflicts that lead to homicides. Broken window theory supports the issue of community policing. This is important since the community should decide what is wrong and right for them. After the community in Puerto Rico decides that homicides are a no-no, it will greatly reduce it. This is because ones it is instilled in them, they will put in place the correct punishments for those involved. The police should supplement the efforts of the community policing and avoid generating hostility towards the criminals, as they may feel unjustly targeted according to the macro-level theory of crime. Social bond should be encouraged between those with compliant behavior and the deviants. This is for example in families, schools and Churches. Parents are particularly encouraged to keep their youths closer so that they are not likely to be involved in homicides. This will ensure that the desired behavior is maintained. The government can also consider reducing subsidies that make people not work, as they know their needs will be well catered for. These are like government housing, community services programs and free education. Rather it is recommended for the government to create more employment opportunities. This will reduce idleness that leads to crimes like homicides. The government should stress on establishment of local prevention programs. The government of Puerto Rico for instance introduced violence prevention curricular in schools. This was because most of the homicides were among the young population. This helped strengthen the schools as social institutions in which the behavior of young people was shaped. References Anonymous (2002). Researchers link broken windows policing with drop in serious crime. Retrieved from http://www.csus.edu/news/080502window.htm. Barkan, S. E. (2006). Criminology: A sociological understanding (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chester, C. R. (1976). Perceived relative deprivation as a cause of property crime. Crime & Delinquency. Retrieved March 30, 2012, from Sage Criminology database. DeFronzo, J. (1997). Welfare and homicide. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 34(3). Dotter, D. (2004). Creating Deviance: An Interactionist Approach. Walnut Creek, CA: Alta Mira Press. Faggins, B. (2001). Temple University study shatters theory on neighborhood decline and criminal behavior. Book review: Breaking away from broken windows. Retrieved March 30, 2012, from: http://www.temple.edu/news_media/bf108.html. Goodnough, A. (2003, December 28). Two-front battle in Puerto Rico. New York Times. Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. Berkele. CA: University of California Press. Liska, A. E., & Messner, S. F. (1999). Perspectives on Crime and Deviance (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Marbourg, K & Rowe, S. (1902). Puerto Rico Code Commission: Volume 1. Puerto Rico. Siegel, L. J. (2001). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Miralba, B., Velez, C. N., & Crosby, A. (2006). Homicides among children and young adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295, 2133-2132. Montalvo-Barbot, A. (1997). Crime in Puerto Rico. Crime & Delinquency, 43, 533-548. Vold, G. B., Bernard, T. J., & Snipes, J. B. (2002). Theoretical Criminology (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Williams III, F. P., & McShane, M. D. (1999). Criminological Theory (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Read More