Crime in America
Street Law
Chapter 7
Crime
• Something one does or fails to do that is in
violation of a law
• Behavior for which the government has set a
penalty
• Range of crime…
Crime Rates
• Influenced by location, age, gender
• Higher in urban versus suburban areas
• Higher in suburban versus rural areas
• Individuals aged 15 – 24 commit more violent
crime than any other group
Crime Rates, continued
• Males commit almost four times as many crimes
as females
▫ Rate of female crime has increased
• 1/3 of crimes involve alcohol
• Cost of crime has increased…
Textbook Problem
• Page 76
• Figure 7.1
▫ Crimes Reported and Arrests Made (2001)
• Problem 7.2
▫ Be prepared to answer letters a – d in class
Reasons for High Crime Rates
Poverty
Permissive Courts
Unemployment
Lack of Education
Abuse of alcohol and drugs
Inadequate police protection
Rising population
Lack of parental guidance
Breakdown of morals
Ineffective correctional system
Influence of television and films
Dealing with Crime
• Would tougher penalties curb crime?
• Is the threat of going to prison really a deterrent
for crime?
• Would increasing the number of police officers
help to reduce the crime rate?
One Solution: Community Policing
• Strategy to build closer relations between the
police and the communities they serve
▫ Select communities are chosen to participate
• Police on bikes or “walking the beat”
• Police have more direct contact with residents
▫ Residents can help with crime prevention
Textbook Problem
• Page 78
• Figure 7.2
▫ U.S. Crime Clock
• Problem 7.3
▫ Be prepared to answer letters a – c in class
Crime on College Campuses
• Common crimes
▫ Violent assaults, hate crimes, property crimes
▫ Many involve alcohol
• Forcible sex offenses are common
▫ Often involve alcohol
Crime on College Campuses
• Colleges/Universities are required to report
campus crime
• Lycoming College
▫ http://www.lycoming.edu/safetyandsecurity/crim
estatistics.html
Strategies to Reduce Crime
• Communities…
• Criminal Justice System…
▫ Police…
▫ Corrections…
• Policies…
Gangs & Crime