Blog 8: So scared about violent crime
Let’s talk about fear of crime. A big frustration for criminologists is that so many people are inordinately afraid of crime. Lately, people are being told that violent crime is going up, and this is true in certain cities. Crime is very localized and most victims of violence are not very surprised because they were in a mutual combat situation, or their counterpart was a family member or acquaintance. It is quite uncommon that a complete stranger, out of the blue, attacks you.
As for robbery, it is true that robbers usually seek strangers, and there is much you can do in your own habits (where you live, where you walk around, your trip to and from work) that will reduce the chances that someone will threaten you or harm you to take something from you such as your wallet or purse. Talk to people. Has anyone you know been robbed lately, or ever? If not, you might consider focusing more on your health.
Lately, there are concerns about home invasion, and we have all heard a few of the terrible stories. Home invasion is quite rare. It is so rare, that the serious ones are usually reported in the national news. You know who is not worried about being a victim of home invasion?
A few readers of this blog, and a not-so-tiny percentage of our criminal justice students, are from very tough neighborhoods, where violent crime is concentrated. Think about how often you actually hear gunshots when you are at home, or work, or on the way between them. Never? Probably never. But people who live in the high crime areas do hear gunshots. And they hear them regularly.
Being cautious, and considering the possibility of victimization is prudent, but the near-hysteria that we see from people who are overly frightened is harmful to our society. People who have no idea about the people who wait in jail for hearings (before conviction) are made terrified about bail reform. Politicians have been elected by leveraging this fear of the unknown and promising to “reduce crime”, or worse, to "eliminate” it, even when the office they seek has very little authority to do anything that might actually prevent crime. Further, politicians commonly lack the moral courage to learn about the best, modern approaches to crime prevention, and to stand up, promote, and defend them. Instead, we get “I’ll hire more police officers,” “I will be a staunch supporter of the police” and so on. More cops, the answer to everything.
There have been some carefully researched intervention programs that have prevented violent crime. One of these is called “Operation Ceasefire” and it was used to amazing effect against youth gun violence in Boston. If implemented carefully, this intervention can save lives. The approach involves a kind of strategic deterrence—not just “more police officers”. A second intervention that has had great success is “Cure Violence” and their “Violence Interrupters”. Cure Violence uses a pretty simple approach. They deploy when there is a shooting. Individuals who appear in hospital emergency rooms with gunshot injuries are approached. Gunshot victims are at a very high risk of being shot again at some point, and there is also a chance that they may shoot someone in revenge—or a friend or family member will do so. “Violence Interrupter” programs have commonly recruited individuals who come from tough neighborhoods, and have a history of gang activity and/or gun violence themselves, because they are perceived as more credible and trustworthy than outsiders and police. These programs have been implemented across the country, but on a piecemeal basis. Rather than adding them as a permanent feature of a city budget, they have relied on grant money that comes and goes.
These are not the only interventions or programs that have been carefully evaluated and that have prevented violence. On another day we will talk about developmental prevention programs which prevent violent behavior and ultimately save the government money.
New Yorker Article about Operation Ceasefire
US Dept of Justice Operation Ceasefire
See “Recommended Sources” for more info.
