Why Is Crime on the Decline.

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Crime in America Liam C. Burke Bellevue University Abstract Crime in America has declined substantially since the 1990’s. Scholars, criminologists, sociologists, scientists and economists all have explanations for the trend. This paper will examine several theories to try and see a correlation and consensus on what has led to this decline. Crime in America Crime in America has continued to decline. Homicide is used as a benchmark for crime trends because it is the most accurately measured and most serious crime. Homicide rates were steady through the 50’s and 60’s with 4.5 homicides occurring per 100,000 in population. From the 60’s to the 80’s homicide rates rose to a rate of 10.2 per 100,000 in population. The homicide rate remained steady from 1980 to 91 at about 8-10 per 100,000. Since the 1990’s homicide rates have been in decline. Between 1991 and 2000 homicide rates dropped nearly 44% and have remained steady since. This decline in crime rate has been debated and analyzed since with everyone from politicians to police chiefs taking the credit. Policing and Crime Rate Community Policing is one of the programs many like to cite as having a direct effect on the crime rate. Theories about “Broken Windows” and reducing small crime reduces serious crime have been bandied about by Police Commissioners and Mayors. In New York City, former Prosecutor Rudy Giuliani garnered support for his campaign stance of tough on crime. Hiring a tough police chief and taking a Community Policing approach appeared to reduce the crime rate in New York City substantially and Giuliani was seen as responsible. The fact that New York increased the size of their department substantially, 45% between 1991 and 2001, is largely overlooked when crediting Giuliana and community policing with decreasing crime trends. (Levitt 2004) Technology and Crime Databases dedicated to analyzing crime

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