1. Chapter 7: Crime in America

2. The Nature of Crimes
Crime: something one does or fails to do that is in violation of a law
Crime rates are influenced by location, age, and gender.

4. Crime Rates Crime rates are higher in urban than suburban areas
Crime rates are higher in suburban areas than rural areas
People ages commit more violent crimes than any other group
Males commit almost 4 times more crimes than females

5. Crime is Expensive! Crime costs YOU money!
The government spends about $150 billion dollars a year on crime
Each family pays $1500 a year in taxes relating to crime
The US has the highest incarceration rate of any industrialized nation

6. What Causes Crime?? Poverty Permissive courts Unemployment
Lack of education
Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Inadequate police protection
Lack of parental guidance
Breakdown of morals
Ineffective correctional system
Little chance of being caught or punished
Influence of tv, films, and music

7. Crime on Campus
In 2001 there were nearly 2 million incidents of property and violent crime at school
10% of male high school students reported carrying a gun to school at least once in a 30 day period
30% of students reported drugs were available to them at school

8. Gangs and Crime
A combination of drugs and guns has led to an increase in gang violence
Gangs: People who form groups closed to the general public
Gangs use symbols, colors, emblems, phrases, and clothing to ID themselves
They use graffiti to “tag” their territory and instill fear in neighborhoods

9. Gangs and Crime
There is usually an initiation ritual or test as well as a similar rite to get out of the gang…if this is an option
Usually proves that you are not afraid to commit crimes and deal drugs

10. Gangs in Charlotte http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ6QNqu8cG0

11. Who Joins Gangs and Why?
Mostly males but the number of females is increasing
Poverty
School failure
Substance abuse
Family dysfunction
Domestic and community violence
Sense of belonging
Peer pressure
Financial gain/fame

12. How can the gang problem be solved?
Community intervention/non gang activities
Increase awareness
Work with police to create anti-gang programs
Increase prosecution of gang members
Neighborhood watch groups

15. Guns and the Law Government Control v. Constitutional Rights
Right for states to maintain a militia v. protection against government bans on firearms

16. (passed after deaths of JFK and MLK)
Gun Control Act of 1968
(passed after deaths of JFK and MLK)
prohibits certain persons-such as convicted felons, minors, and illegal aliens- from buying and possessing weapons
requires serial numbers on all guns and establishes a licensing fee schedule for firearms manufacturers, importers, and dealers
prohibits the mail-order sale of all firearms and ammunitions
prohibits the interstate sale of handguns
sets penalties for carrying and using firearms in violent crimes
sets guidelines for certain firearm purchases

17. Gun Control
Brady Act: (named for James Brady who was shot and paralyzed by a bullet intended for Reagan)
creates a system to instantly check the background of persons who want to buy guns
In million applications for guns were processed…151,000 were rejected
Should citizens be allowed to carry a concealed weapon?

18. More Guns Less Crime

19. Substance Abuse and Crime
Substance Abuse: the harmful, overuse of chemical, like drugs or alcohol
Can cause…
breakup of families
decreased productivity
injuries in the workplace
automobile crashes
criminal activity

20. Alcohol
the most widely used substance in the US (because its socially acceptable)
in some countries it’s a criminal offense to drink (Saudi Arabia)
alcohol abuse was a factor in 35% of violent crimes in the US in 2001

21. Drunk Driving
operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence
measured by a persons Blood Alcohol Concentration
NC BAC is .08g/dl

22. Penalties for Driving under the Influence:
monetary fine
enrollment in DWI school
community service
license suspended
license revoked
jail sentence

23. DUI/DWI
Implied Consent: the driver agrees to submit to a BAC test in exchange for the privilege of driving.
Refusal to take the test could result in immediate and automatic suspension of the driver’s license for a certain period, even if the driver is not found guilty of DWI

25. Drugs Illegal drug industry has led to a
dramatic increase in criminal activity
This has placed a huge burden on the criminal justice system because so many people ware arrested for selling or possessing drugs
***50-75% of people arrested test positive for drugs at the time of their arrest

26. Controlled Substance Act
Most states and the federal government have repeat-offender laws
Recidivist: Repeat Offender
Three Strikes Rule: not cruel and unusual punishment, after three felony charges the criminal is locked up for life without parole

27. Legalize or Not to Legalize?
Many people believe the US would be better able to control the sale and use of drugs if the laws changed from drug prohibition to drug regulation.
Some favor legalizing certain drugs for medicinal purposes

28. Legalize or Not to Legalize?
Others believe that legalizing drugs would lead to greater drug use, cause more deaths, and increase other drug-related problems
Legalization would send a message of acceptance

29. Should Marijuana be Legalized?

30. Victims of Crime
Teens and young adults are more likely to be victims of crime than any other age group.
Males are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than females
Members of minority groups, urban dwellers, and those who rent their homes are more likely to be victims of crime than white, nonurban, and property owners.

31. Victims of Crime
Restitution: requiring criminals to pay back or compensate the victims of their crimes
Advocacy groups help victims of crimes
Ex: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

32. Preventing and Reporting Crime
Report suspicious activity to police
Lock doors and windows
Be alert in high crime areas
Use the “buddy system”
Do not flash money in public
If you are a victim or witness a crime, contact and cooperate with the police

33. If you Become a Victim Two Theories: Do not fight back
Resist the assailant

34. Getting Help for Survivors of Crime
Advocacy groups provide counseling and support groups
Ex: National Center for Victims of Crime and Office of Victims of Crime