1. PAGE 218 TO 224 STREET CRIMES AND CRIMINALS

2. CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES Street crime – all violent crime, certain property crimes (theft, arson, break and enter, etc.), certain morals crimes (prostitution, illegal gambling, illegal drug use, etc.). Corporate crime – illegal acts committed by corporate employees on behalf of the corporation and with its support. Organized crime – a business operation that supplies goods and services for profit (drug-trafficking, prostitution, smuggling, etc.)

3. AGE AND CRIME Age is one of the most significant factors associated with crime “Crime is a young person’s game” Arrests increase from early adolescence They peak in early adulthood Steadily decline with age See page 219, Fig.7.5 and 7.6 Why do you think this trend exists?

4. POSSIBLE REASON FOR MATURATION REFORM Physical effects of aging – making some criminal activity more difficult Realization by older chronic offenders that further results will result in long term jail sentence

5. Most likely explanation … Adolescents have few responsibilities with no clear social role They are breaking away from control of parents and preparing to live on own As we age, we acquire commitments and obligations that limit our freedom to choose a lifestyle that includes crime

6. GENDER AND CRIME Most crimes are committed by males – 80%! the types of crimes males and females commit vary (See page 220 Figure 7.7) The difference between male and female crime rates has narrowed over the last 30 years In Canada, rates of crime have remained relatively stable for men Female Criminal Code offenses has increased from 9% to 18% Serious theft increased from 9% to 18% Fraud 11% to 29% Minor theft 22% to 34%

7. WHAT HAS CAUSED CHANGE IN THE SEX DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME? In countries where women follow traditional roles, their crime rates are very low When women’s lives are more similar to men’s, their crime rates will be higher. In conclusion, role convergence explains some of the reduction in the gap

8. OTHER THOUGHTS… Commack suggests, increase in female rates of fraud and theft ( shoplifting, credit card fraud, passing bad cheques) reflects increased number of females in poverty.

9. SOCIAL CLASS AND CRIME Many theories of crime are based on the assumption that crime is economically motivated and that poverty will lead to criminal behaviour. However, the evidence concerning the impact of economic factors on crime is not entirely clear.

10. IT IS REPORTED THAT… People from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to be arrested for violent and property crimes (take this with a grain of salt) …when looking at this correlation, we need to consider … that these crimes are more likely to come to the attention of police than the white-collar and corporate crimes (committed by upper class) So it’s difficult to assess the relationship between class and crime We do not know if this reported correlation exists because lower class people commit more crimes or because the justice system treats them more harshly

11. HOWEVER, WE CAN CONCLUDE… For most people, class and crime are not related However, those who engage in frequent and serious offending are most likely severely disadvantaged economically, educationally and socially.