Crime and Attempts to Control It

     There are many approaches that could be used to prevent and handle crime in neighborhoods. One of the first approaches should be an increased police presence. However, this presence should not result in a community feeling that they are being harassed by authorities. The patrols that are used to increase the coverage should get out of their vehicles and become a part of the community. Many studies have been conducted that show regardless of the race of the police authorities, with increased community communications, the residents will feel safer and crime rates can be reduced. The question of how to prevent and handle crime may be a key issue, but making the residents feel safe in their own environment should be handled as well.

     An approach that has been quite effective in many cities is having a combined community and police team approach. This shows a concerted effort to stem violence in many areas. Working together crime can be driven out and streets made safer. The handling of crime will be different based on neighborhoods and situations. For example, in 1969 an experiment was conducted in the Bronx and Palo Alto, California. A car was left abandoned in each city to test how long before vandalism would occur. It only took ten minutes for vandalism to occur in the Bronx; while it took over a week in Palo Alto for damage to occur. However, in Palo Alto, it took a researcher to start the vandalism and soon others joined in. One thing worth noting was that the vandalism in both cities were from well to do white people.

     Going in with guns blazing is not always the right answer. Increased patrol, increased communications, and active community involvement will help in reducing the crime rate of any city. In many cases, having business owners form a group to help “patrol” their areas has helped in decreasing the crime rate.

     The passing of legislation such as SB 1474 and SB 1070 has varying effects on efforts to curb violence. Unfortunately, there are too many people on both sides of the fence that hinder efforts. Taking into consideration SB 1474, this act would allow guns on campus. Is this bill an attempt to make campuses safer by allowing students to carry weapons? While I am not against the right to bear arms, would this freedom allow for an ugly situation to get uglier? Would this make it more difficult for “real” authorities to identify and apprehend the true shooter? I can understand the need for personal protection in a day and age where school shootings are almost becoming the norm in today’s society. However, I feel that this bill will actually hinder attempts to control violence via police intervention. Placing guns into the hands of certain immature young adults could result in a vigilante situation or someone may have the need to become the hero in a serious violent situation. Either scenario could result in the loss of more blood and lives than would have if authorities are left to handle the situations without “heroes”.

     With regards to SB 1070, I don’t feel that this bill has big impacts on the abilities of authorities to combat and reduce criminal behavior. If properly trained, situations that do occur should be minimal. Education and communication are key players in SB 1070. We need to make sure that we have an educated public when it comes to the authorities roles that are outlined within the many pages of SB 1070.