NCJ Number
26208
Date Published
1974
Length
370 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY URBAN PROBLEMS CHALLENGING THE VIEW THAT TODAY'S CITIES ARE IN DECLINE OR THAT AMERICA IS LOSING THE BATTLE AGAINST CRIME, POVERTY, SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE, AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE IN URBAN AMERICA HAVE IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT YEARS. WHAT HAS NOT IMPROVED IS OUR CAPACITY TO KEEP PACE WITH THE ACCELERATING EXPECTATIONS OF CITY DWELLERS--EXPECTATIONS LEGITIMATE IN ORIGIN, BUT OFTEN DIVISIVE AND SELF-DEFEATING IN EXPRESSION. THE AUTHOR FURTHER MAINTAINS THAT CRIME, LIKE POVERTY, DEPENDS PRIMARILY UPON TWO SETS OF VARIABLES. ONE SET RELATES MAINLY TO CLASS CULTURE AND PERSONALITY (BUT ALSO TO SEX AND AGE) AND DETERMINES AN INDIVIDUAL'S PROPENSITY TO CRIME. THE OTHER RELATES TO SITUATIONAL FACTORS (SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF POLICEMEN ON THE SCENE AND THE SIZE OF THE PAYROLL) AND DETERMINES HIS INDUCEMENT. THE PROBABILITY THAT HE WILL COMMIT CRIMES--HIS PRONENESS TO CRIME--DEPENDS UPON PROPENSITY AND INDUCEMENT. A CITY'S POTENTIAL FOR CRIME MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS THE AVERAGE PRONENESS OF PERSONS IN VARIOUS 'SEX-AGE-CULTURE-PERSONALITY' GROUPS TIMES THEIR NUMBER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)