NCJ Number
10490
Date Published
1968
Length
38 pages
Annotation
MANUAL ON FACTS ABOUT CRIME, CRIMINAL STATISTICS, THE CAUSES OF CRIME, AND WAYS IN WHICH POLICE CAN CONTROL RISING CRIME PREPARED FOR THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE FORCE.
Abstract
FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR THE EXISTENCE AND AMOUNT OF CRIME ARE EXPLAINED IN ORDER TO AID POLICEMEN IN INTERPRETING THE CRIME RATE. THE DIFFICULTIES OF ACCURATELY MEASURING CRIME ARE EXPLORED. RISING CRIME RATES MAY BE MISINTERPRETED UNLESS WE HAVE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW CRIME STATISTICS ARE COMPILED AND WHAT THEY DO AND DO NOT INDICATE. VARIOUS POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CRIME ARE DISCUSSED INCLUDING POVERTY, URBANIZATION, SUBCULTURES, ORGANIZED CRIME, PSYCHIC DISABILITIES, AND RACIAL TENSIONS. THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT IS CONSIDERED TO SEE HOW IT WORKS, WHETHER IT ACCOMPLISHES ITS PURPOSE, AND WHETHER IT DOES ANY GOOD FROM A REHABILITATIVE VIEWPOINT. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PAROLE AND PROBATION ARE ALSO EXAMINED.