NCJ Number
68122
Journal
SASD BULLETIN Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 19-28
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE PAPER CALLS ATTENTION TO THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME, THE CHANGES IN METHODS OF ASSAULT, THE REALITY OF UNREPORTED CRIME, AND THE NEED FOR BOTH GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS TO GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO LAW AND ORDER.
Abstract
STATISTICS SHOW A DECIDED INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIMES IN SCOTLAND, BUT THIS REPRESENTS ONLY THE NUMBERS OF CRIMES ACTUALLY REPORTED TO THE POLICE. ONLY ONE THING IS CLEAR: THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENT CRIME IN SOCIETY HAS REACHED DISTURBING PROPORTIONS. IN 10 YEARS, THREE AND A HALF TIMES AS MANY ATTEMPTED MURDERS WERE REPORTED; SEXUAL ASSAULTS WERE 40 PERCENT HIGHER. MUGGING, TERRORISM, AND BABY BATTERING, NEARLY UNHEARD OF 30 YEARS AGO, ARE NOW COMMON. WEAPONS OF ASSAULT HAVE BECOME MORE DEADLY. IN ADDITION, INTOXICATION HAS CONTRIBUTED HEAVILY TO CRIMES OF VIOLENCE. THE UPSURGE IN SUCH CRIMES BELIES THE HOPE THAT IMPROVED SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND INCREASED AFFLUENCE MIGHT IMPROVE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN MORALITY. MANY FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE VIOLENCE--THE PACE OF SOCIAL CHANGE, THE GROWTH OF AFFLUENCE, THE DECLINE IN RELIGIOUS BELIEF, AND THE LOOSENING OF DISCIPLINE BOTH IN THE HOME AND IN THE SCHOOL--AND THERE IS NO EASY SINGLE SOLUTION FOR ITS PREVENTION. SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CRIME CONTROL ARE ELIMINATING VIOLENT CRIME FROM THE HOME, INCREASING THE POLICE FORCE, BREAKING THE WEAPON-CARRYING HABIT, IMPOSING PUNISHMENTS THAT WILL SERVE AS DETERRENTS, AND GIVING HIGH PRIORITY TO LAW AND ORDER. (MFE)