NCJ Number
68121
Journal
SASD BULLETIN Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 12-19
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS SPEECH IDENTIFIES SEVERAL PATTERNS OF VIOLENT CRIME, DESCRIBES POLICE RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRIME, AND MAKES A RECOMMENDATION FOR SENTENCES THAT WOULD DETER YOUNG CRIMINALS.
Abstract
THE PAPER PROVIDES SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF HOW CHANGES IN SECURITY MEASURES, LEGISLATION, AND THE AMOUNT OF CASH IN CIRCULATION HAVE CAUSED CHANGES IN CRIME TRENDS. THESE AND OTHER CHANGES CREATE CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE POLICE ATTENTION. HOUSES ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO BURGLARY NOW THAT WIVES ARE WORKING. VIOLENCE IN FOOTBALL STADIUMS REQUIRES THE COMMITMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF POLICE FOR DUTY AT FOOTBALL GAMES. PEACEFUL PICKETING GENERATES CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN PICKETERS AND THOSE WHO REQUIRE ACCESS TO THE PICKETED PREMISES TO WORK OR TO DELIVER SUPPLIES. ELDERLY PENSIONERS, DRAWING PENSIONS IN CASH AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE, ATTRACT THIEVES. GROWING VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, KIDNAPPING, HIJACKING, ABDUCTION, TERRORIST THREATS, THE TAKING OF HOSTAGES--ALL OF THESE DEVELOPING PATTERNS OF VIOLENCE REQUIRE THAT THE POLICE ADOPT NEW METHODS AND CHANGE OLD STRATEGIES. MOREOVER, IT IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR POLICE TO OBTAIN WITNESSES TO VIOLENT CRIME IN CITIES BECAUSE OF FEAR OF CRIMINAL VENGEANCE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FIRM SANCTIONS BE APPLIED EARLY IN THE CRIMINAL'S CAREER AS A DETERRENT TO THE PURSUIT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND AS A METHOD TO HELP CHANGE THE PATTERN OF VIOLENT CRIME.