The Nature of Crime and Victimization Is crime really a significant problem? Is crime increasing or decreasing? Is crime becoming more serious? Where and when do crimes occur?

Decisions Based On Facts Criminologists use research and data to – Formulate theories that explain crime origins – Devise policies to control and eliminate crime This requires – Data Collection – Analysis

Decisions Based On Facts  Why is it important to collect crime data?  Why is it important to analyze crime data and patterns?

Decisions Based On Facts Are males more likely to Commit crime? Commit violent crime? Is there a biological explanation for crime? How about an explanation based on Psychological Factors (Anger, Frustration, etc) Sociological Factors (Neighborhoods, Poverty)

How Do We Define Crime? Three Views

How Do We Crime? Three Views 1. Consensus View

How Do We Define Crime? Three Views 2. Criminal Law

How Do We Define Crime? Three Views 3. Social Control

How Do We Define Crime? Opinions about crime differ. – Drug use – Some sexual activities Opinion Definitions – Interactionist View – Moral Entrepreneur View – Conflict View

How Do We Define Crime? Interactionist View

How Do We Define Crime? Moral Entrepreneur View

How Do We Define Crime? Conflict View

How Do We Define Crime? Regardless of differences

Combating Crime What impacts crime? – Large numbers of police? – Early childhood education and values? – Treatment programs? – Harsh criminal sanctions? Need to start looking somewhere, systematically.

Crime Data Measurement Surveys: Questionnaires Record Data: Schools, Police, etc. Cohort Data: Groups (Abuse…Later Crime) Observation Data: Firsthand Interview Data: Speak With Offenders

Crime Reporting Three Primary Means – Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) FBI data derived from police – Victim Surveys National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) U.S. Census Bureau and Justice Dept. venture – Self-Report Surveys Usually mass mailings

Crime Reporting Uniform Crime Reports – Collects data on Index Crimes – Reports based on data from police – Shortcoming Fewer than ½ of crime incidents reported to police

Crime Reporting National Crime Victimization Survey – Results Fewer than 1/2 of violent crimes reported Fewer than 1/3 of personal theft crimes reported Fewer than ½ of household theft crimes reported

Crime Reporting Self-Report Surveys – Usually done by questionnaires – Most studies focus on juvenile delinquency and youth crime – Findings: Juvenile have the highest reported crime rate.

Crime Reporting Self-Report Surveys Often Measure

Crime Reporting Self-Report surveys show

Crime Reporting Self-Report surveys show crime incidence is much greater than official reports show.

Crime Reporting Self-Report Surveys show the most common juvenile offenses are:

Crime Reporting Self-Report Surveys: High School Students – At least 1/3 involved in theft – At least 1/5 committed serious violent act

Crime Reporting The UCR, NCVS and Self-Reporting Statistics often differ

Crime Trends 1930s-1960s: Gradual Crime Increase 1960s-1990: Rapid Crime Increase : Crime Number & Rate Decline 2001-Present: Increase In Crime

Crime Trends Violent Crime : 20% Violent Crime Decrease Property Crime : 19% Decrease

Crime Trends Drug and Alcohol Use 1970s: Sharp Increase 1980s: Leveled Off Mid 1990s-1997: Increased : Declined

Why Crime Rates Change Factors Affecting The Crime Rate Proportion of young males in the population Likely increase in next decade Prolonged periods of economic weakness Prolonged periods of unemployment Level of social problems Teen mothers, racial conflict Firearm availability Gang membership Crack cocaine, other drug usage Crime control policy

Factors Affecting Crime Rate Proportion Of Young Males In Population – Declining male birth rate – Lower crime results – Teen population will increase in next decade – Expect increase in crime

Factors Affecting Crime Rate Prolonged Economic Weakness and Unemployment – 1980s Recession Sense of hopelessness

Factors Affecting Crime Rate Level Of Social Problems – Teen Mothers Positive correlation between homicide rate of the 17-yr-old age group and its members born to unwed – Racial Conflict In-migration of minorities into predominantly white neighborhoods correlates positively with crime Racially motivated crimes decrease as neighborhoods become more integrated

Factors Affecting Crime Rate Crack Cocaine Use – As crack cocaine use declines so does level of violence

Factors Affecting Crime Rate Justice Policy – Aggressive enforcement policies targeting “quality of life crimes” (Loitering, Panhandling, Petty Drug Use) reduce crime – Tough laws targeting drug dealing and repeat offenders may affect the crime rate.

Break Read assignments. Participate in class discussions. Review notes weekly.