CRIME STATISTICS
Literature Review:
Everyday hundreds or even thousands of street crimes incident happen in the United States (and other countries. Various incidents of street crimes deprive common citizens of their valuable belongings and earnings and may even lead to violence. It is only rational to explore a link between everyday street crimes and standard of living or cost of living. However, there is lack of considerable research in literature related to this particular topic. Very few researches have so far been done in this regard and one of these researches was done by Peter Kitchen in 2006.
Kitchen (2006) has explored a link between socio-economic condition and crimes in Ottawa and Saskatoon. This study found out that “large cities in Western Canada, such as Edmonton and Vancouver, have higher crime rates and a notable presence of disadvantaged residents such as Aboriginal peoples” (Kitchen, 2006, p. 94). One important component of this study found a strong relationship between social-economic conditions of the people and crimes in Saskatoon’s neighborhood.
Various analytical tools, such as the multiple regression and correlation, were used to analyze the data in this study. It was also found that single parents and low income families were noticed to have more risk of getting into violence. This study did not specify a relationship between street crimes and other crimes but still it can be used to form basis for the study of relationship between street crimes and cost of living as street crimes are also a form of overall crimes. Similarly, cost of living or living conditions can be a sub-category of people’s socio-economic conditions.
Another similar study was done by Western, Kleykamp and Rosenfeld (2003). Increase in income inequality was tracked by the increase in prison incarceration rates for the past 25 years. The authors write that “we can be quite sure that poor men and residents of poor neighborhoods were more involved in street crime than the affluent” (Western, Kleykern and Rosenfeld, 2003, p. 35).
Some of the prevailing theories regarding the link between poor economic conditions and crimes have been discussed in the article. “While strain theory and its utilitarian variant highlight the economic forces that push people into crime, social control theories emphasize constraints that prevent offending” (p. 11). However, Western, Kleykamp and Rosenfeld (2003) could not find compelling evidences for the theories. Overall, there seem to be a consensus that decreasing level of economic conditions can potentially increase the level of crimes in any society.
Webster and Kingston (2014) have cited Arvanites and Defina (2006) that better economic conditions of people can result in decreased level of street property crimes. It is usually agreed upon by most authors that those living in poor economic conditions are more likely to be engaged in criminal activities but at the same time, “international evidence shows that those living in poor neighbourhoods are much more likely to be the victim of a crime” (Webster and Kingston, 2014, 9).
At the same time, there is an observable relationship between poverty or lack of ability to earn adequate money for living and violence. However, a direct or essential relationship between crimes and unemployment can be established (Western, Kleykamp and Rosenfeld, 2003, Webster & Kingston, 2014).
Tony Platt (2014) presents street crimes as a very important issue for most governments but at the same time he believes that the issue of street crimes has generally been ignored; however, “link between “Street” crime and economic conditions is clearly established” (Platt, 2014, p. 228). Platt has made use of various previous studies and statistics to talk about various different aspects of street crimes.
At the same time; however, Platt writes that street crimes are not necessarily and essentially always linked with poor economic conditions of the people but there are other social factors as well. “While “street” crime is associated with the most demoralized sectors of the working class, we must be careful about making mechanical and ahistorical generalizations” (Platt, 2014, p. 227).
It can be seen from the above review of the existing literature that many authors believe that there is a considerable link between the economic conditions of the people and their potential to commit crimes, including the street crimes. However, there still seem to be a considerable shortage of the literature and research studies in this regard. Considering a link between living conditions and potential to commit street crimes is rational; however, a well-designed scientific can help to better understand this link, which can ultimately help to minimize the number of street crimes.
Works Cited
Platt, T. (1978). " STREET" CRIME—A VIEW FROM THE LEFT. Crime and Social Justice, 26-34.
Western, B., Kleykamp, M., & Rosenfeld, J. (2004). Crime, punishment, and American inequality. Social inequality, 771-796.
Webster, C., & Kingston, S. (2014). Poverty and crime.
Kitchen, P. F. (2006). Exploring the link between crime and socio-economic status in Ottawa and Saskatoon: A small-area geographical analysis. Department of Justice, Research and Statistics Division.