Keeping Crime on the Downward Trend

October 26th, 2008
Writing & American Rhetoric (Honors)
Maryville University

Keeping Crime on the Downward Trend

         Crime has plagued society since the beginning of time. As long as man has existed, there has been homicide, robbery, sexual assault, fraud, and vandalism. Anyone who doubts this would only have to look at America’s crime statistics from 2005; there were 18 million property crimes, which include burglary, car theft, and purse/wallet snatchings, and 5.2 million violent crimes, which consist of homicide, rape, and armed robbery (Catallano). You can’t turn on the TV or pick up the paper without seeing something about a shooting or a bank robbery. The worst part is that crime doesn’t just harm the victim; it also instills a sense of fear in people who hear the victim’s story. High crime statistics influence the world’s opinion of our country as well. And while crime rates have declined, the US still has one of the highest crime rates in the Western world (Catallano). Proposals are made all the time in an attempt to reduce crime in America. After carefully researching several factors affecting criminal activity, I have developed what I believe will be the best plan of action for our country.

         While one of the most compelling ways to end crime is ban guns, this will have little effect on crime rates. People who intend to cause harm will be able to obtain some form of weapon whether it is legal or not, just as drug users are able to obtain illegal drugs. Banning guns will only take one means of protection away from civilians. Closing stores and malls earlier won’t necessarily end crime, either; people who want to be out at one in the morning will be out regardless of a mall’s hours. And while early exposure to violent acts seen on TV and in video games and read about in books might increase the crime rate, we can’t ban all violence in TV, in video games, and in books.

         Eliminating all of these proposed solutions doesn’t leave us with a lot of options. Therefore, I have concluded that the best solution to this problem is to stop crime before it starts. We need to decrease the chances that a child will develop into a juvenile or adult delinquent. According to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, the best way to do this is to make sure that each child grows up in a secure environment with a mother and father present who are loving and attentive and that there is proper guidance and direction in each child’s life. Needless to say, this is impossible. However, while we cannot ensure that every parent provides proper guidance to every child in America or that every family lives in a safe neighborhood, through our education system we can provide opportunities that might prevent criminal behaviors from developing.

         The government should implement a policy that requires every educational facility in our country to provide a free after-school/daycare program for children whose parents work and cannot afford or find a babysitter. Findings from a study in The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency show that crimes are more frequently committed by juveniles outside of school hours than during school hours (Gottfredson, Soule). So it makes sense that an after-school program would help prevent juvenile criminal activity. In addition, the coordinators of such a program should make a sincere effort to provide love, attention, and proper guidance for the children who might not receive this nurturing treatment otherwise. Studies have proven that teachers and counselors play a large role in identifying delinquent behaviors, so these people will be able to help a child who shows signs of becoming a delinquent (Corbitt). An after-school program would also provide a safe environment for children who live in dangerous neighborhoods. Research has linked living in troubled places to juvenile delinquency, so spending as much time as possible in a safe environment would benefit these children (Corbitt). By requiring every school to put an after-school or daycare program into effect, we would be eliminating many of the situations that lead to juvenile delinquency, which in turn would reduce criminal activity among these same people as adults. I believe it should be the government’s responsibility to cover whatever costs are necessary to successfully run such a program. It is also in the government’s best interest to fund this proposal because the crime rate in the United States is a reflection of the effectiveness of our country’s law enforcement policies.

         History has shown us that where man exists, crime exists also. Therefore, crime can never be completely eliminated. The aim of my solution is not to eliminate crime, but to prevent it from happening as frequently.



Bibliography

Catallano, Shannan M. "Criminal Victimization, 2005." Bureau of Justice Statistics. 10 Sept.
2005. U.S. Department of Justice. <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/press/cv05pr.htm>. 8 Oct. 2008.

Corbitt, William A. "Violent Crimes Among Juveniles." FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin 69 (2000): 18-22. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=112&sid=b9033e75-d03d-4bb9-beca-90209704ec1440sessionmgr108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=3229624>. 6 Oct. 2008.

Gottfredson, Denise C., and David A. Soule. "The Timing of Property Crime,
Violent Crime, and Substance Use Among Juveniles." Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency 42 (2005): 110-20.
<http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=112&sid=b9033e75-d03d-4bb9-beca-90209704ec14%40sessionmgr
108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=15743575 6 Oct 2008.