NCJ Number
56167
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 28-35
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE GHETTO AND THE INTERACTION OF THE POLICE OFFICER WITH GHETTO LIFE IS EXAMINED AND INTERPRETED, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO NEW YORK CITY.
Abstract
GHETTO CHILDREN ARE UNTAMED BY THE STANDARDS OF SOCIALIZATION NORMATIVE IN THE MAINSTREAM CULTURE OUTSIDE THE GHETTO. MEANS OF SURVIVAL IN THE GHETTO ARE CONSIDERED CRIMINAL BY THE DOMINANT SOCIAL SYSTEM; YET, FOR THE GHETTO RESIDENT THERE ARE PERCEIVED TO BE NO OTHER PRACTICAL MEANS BESIDES NARCOTICS DEALING, PROSTITUTION, GAMBLING, AND ROBBERY FOR OBTAINING THE GOODS AND SERVICES SO COMPELLINGLY ADVERTISED BY THE 'OVERCLASS' BEYOND THE GHETTO. EFFORTS TO REFORM LIFE IN THE GHETTO HAVE CONSISTENTLY MET WITH FAILURE, UNTIL NO ONE TRIES ANYMORE. WELFARE SERVICES SIMPLY MAINTAIN LIFE IN THE GHETTO AT A MINIMAL LEVEL SUCH THAT IT IS PERPETUATED FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT. POLICE OFFICERS IN THE GHETTO REPRESENT TO MANY RESIDENTS OBSTACLES TO THE ONLY MEANS OF SURVIVAL THEY KNOW. THEY ARE ALSO VIEWED AS THE PROTECTORS WHO KEEP THE PREDATORS FROM DEVOURING HELPLESS VICTIMS. ON MANY OCCASIONS GHETTO RESIDENTS DEPEND UPON THE POLICE TO BE 24-HOUR 'GIVERS' IN A WORLD DOMINATED BY 'TAKERS.' POLICE OFFICERS THEMSELVES, HOWEVER, HAVE FEW IF ANY OF THEIR NEEDS MET IN THEIR GHETTO ROLE. STATUS, A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT, PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS, APPRECIATION, FINANCIAL REWARD, AND RECOGNITION ARE RARELY EXPERIENCED. THE 'OVERCLASS' WANTS OFFICERS TO BE CRIME FIGHTERS IN THE GHETTO TO CONTAIN THE WILDNESS; GHETTO RESIDENTS WANT OFFICERS TO BE SOCIAL WORKERS TO EASE THE RESIDENTS' DESPAIR. POLICE OFFICERS CAN ONLY LEARN TO SURVIVE IN THE GHETTO, WHILE THE FULFILLMENT AND SELF-ACTUALIZATION SO PRIZED BY THOSE IN THE OVERCLASS ELUDE THEM. (RCB)