Warm Up Do you think crime rates in America are low or high? What are you basing your response on?

Crime in America Chapter 7

FBI Report

Gangs and Crime Gangs: people who form groups closed to the general public that include violent criminal activity  Been around since the 1800’s Who’s at risk for gang involvement  Majority Males  poverty  School failure  Substance abuse  Family dysfunction  Domestic/community violence  Poor self-esteem

Guns and the Law Gun control is very controversial in the U.S.  2 nd Amendment: Right to bear arms  Gun Control Act of 1968: prohibits certain persons (felons, minors, illegal aliens) from buying or possessing a weapon Happened after MLK and JFK assassinations

Substance Abuse and Crime Alcohol: Most widely abused substance in the U.S. Drugs: Illegal drug use costs society billions of dollars a year.  Increases illegal activity (murder, theft)  50-75% of those arrested are under the influence of some type of drug at the time

Victims of Crime Teens and young adults are more likely to be victims of crime Gender, socioeconomic status, race, and location also play part in the likeliness of being a victim of crime