NCJ Number
61862
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS IS REPORTED FROM A FRENCH NATIONAL COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED TO STUDY THE CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, CRIMINALITY, AND DELINQUENCY.
Abstract
URBANIZATION WAS FOUND TO BE ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINALITY AND DELINQUENCY. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVOIDING THE DEBILITATING CHARACTERISTICS OF URBANIZATION INCLUDE (1) THE LIMITATION ON POPULATION CONCENTRATIONS IN TOWNS TO 200,000; (2) THE SEPARATION OF SATELLITE TOWNS FROM THE LARGER URBAN AREA BY 'GREEN BELTS' OF UNDEVELOPED LAND; (3) THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY IN DECENTRALIZED PATTERN IN TOWNS OF LESS THAN URBAN SIZE TO PROVIDE FOR A SELF-CONTAINED SOCIOECONOMIC EXISTENCE FOR RESIDENTS; AND (4) THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING TYPES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND A COMMUNITY STRUCTURE THAT DISCOURAGES ISOLATION AND STIMULATES ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) DEVELOP SOME DEGREE OF LOCAL CONTROL OVER TELEVISION PROGRAMMING, WHICH CAN LIMIT MINORS' EXPOSURE TO THE DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE WITHOUT UNDUE INTERFERENCE WITH FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION; (2) TAKE STRONGER PREVENTIVE ACTION AGAINST ALCOHOLISM, (3) ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSTRUCTIVE YOUTH GROUPS; (4) DESIGN PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO BE CONDUCIVE TO SECURITY; (5) DETERMINE POLICE MANPOWER AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS REQUIRED TO MEET CITIZENS' SECURITY NEEDS; (6) CONCENTRATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE LOCAL POLICE FORCES; (7) REINFORCE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND REPRESSION OF LARGE-SCALE ORGANIZED CRIME; (8) REPLACE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WITH A MANDATORY LENGTHY PRISON SENTENCE IN CERTAIN CASES; AND (9) COORDINATE AND IMPROVE THE EFFORTS OF EXISTING INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED WITH PREVENTING DELINQUENCY AND VIOLENCE AND CREATE A STANDING BODY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND A DECENTRALIZED AGENCY AT THE DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)