NCJ Number
55058
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 93-110
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE RELATION BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CRIME RATE INCREASES IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA, IS ANALYZED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO STEALING AS A TAX OR TRANSFER PAYMENT.
Abstract
STEALING OCCURS IN ALL PARTS OF LIBERIA, BUT IT IS MORE PREVALENT IN METROPOLITAN AREAS. THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 1 POLICEMAN FOR EVERY 2,000 PEOPLE IN LIBERIA. POLICE OFFICERS ARE POORLY EQUIPPED, INADEQUATELY TRAINED AND DISCIPLINED, AND MEAGERLY PAID. THEY PROVIDE LITTLE, IF ANY, CRIME PREVENTION FUNCTIONS SUCH AS RESIDENTIAL SURVEILLANCE. A THIEF WHO STEALS CASH AND GOODS FROM RESIDENCES IS CALLED A ROGUE. FEW ROGUES ARE CAUGHT BY THE POLICE. ROGUES ARE GENERALLY MALES BETWEEN 15 AND 40 YEARS OF AGE. THE LOSS TO VICTIMS FROM ROGUERY IS BETWEEN $25 AND $100 PER ROGUING FOR LOW-INCOME AND MIDDLE-INCOME RESIDENTS OF MONROVIA. THE LOSS TO THE UPPER-INCOME GROUP IS CLOSER TO $200 PER ROGUING. LOW-INCOME AND MIDDLE-INCOME RESIDENTS PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST ROGUES BY THEIR LIFESTYLES. THEY HAVE EXTENDED FAMILIES AND LIVE IN SMALL HOUSES THAT ARE LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. UPPER-INCOME RESIDENTS PROTECT THEMSELVES BY BUYING SURVEILLANCE IN THE FORM OF GUARDS, HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEES, AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT. SOME RESIDENTS HAVE ROGUE INSURANCE, BUT SUCH INSURANCE CANNOT BE OBTAINED UNLESS THE RESIDENCE BEING INSURED IS TOTALLY GUARDED. THE DIRECT COST TO A RESIDENCE OF EMPLOYING 24-HOUR PROTECTION IS ABOUT $100 A MONTH. ROGUERY IS VIEWED BROADLY AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL TAX. UPPER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SPEND APPROXIMATELY $2,400 OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD TO DECREASE LOSSES FROM ROGUERY. IF THE ROGUE RATE CONTINUES TO RISE AS MONROVIA INDUSTRIALIZES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO DIVERT MORE FUNDS TO SOCIAL DEFENSE. GOVERNMENT ACTION WILL BE NECESSARY WHEN MARGINAL BENEFITS AND EXPENDITURES FOR CRIME CONTROL BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE UPPER-INCOME GROUP TO BEAR. AS THE GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO ABSORB INCREASING CRIME COSTS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE ADDED CRIME DETERRENTS INSTEAD OF MERELY REPLACING THE LARGE PRIVATE GUARD INDUSTRY. EXPENDITURE AND LOSS TRADE-OFFS ARE STUDIED MATHEMATICALLY, AND DATA ON EXPENDITURES AND LOSSES FOR 1974-1975 ARE TABULATED. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)