NCJ Number
18818
Date Published
1975
Length
21 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MODEL, SUCH AS IS USED TO TRACE THE SPREAD OF A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, TO TRACE THE EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENT CRIME OFFENSES (HOMICIDE, ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, RAPE) IN THE U.S. BETWEEN 1960-1973.
Abstract
VIOLENT CRIME, IN THE AUTHOR'S ANALYSIS, IS SPREAD LIKE A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, AND IS ROOTED IN THE DEMOGRAPHIC PROPORTIONALITIES OF MALES IN THE 15-29 AGE GROUP. HE SUGGESTS THAT THE TREATMENT OF CHOICE IN CONTROLLING THIS 'DISEASE' IS TO INTERRUPT THE INFECTION PROCESS BY CONTROLLING THE VECTORS OF INFECTION. SUCH PREVENTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN IN PUBLIC HOUSING BY REARRANGING AGE PROPORTIONALITIES AND IN SCHOOLS BY REDUCING THE POPULATION OF ANY GIVEN TROUBLESOME SCHOOL. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICY, AS SEEN BY THE AUTHOR, ARE A RE-FOCUSING OF LEAA FUNDING ONTO CREATING SOFTWARE AND INTERAGENCY RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL TRACK MULTIPLE OFFENDERS AND ALLOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH THEM PROPERLY AT THE THIRD OFFENSE, AT WHICH POINT THEY HAVE BECOME EFFICIENT VECTORS OF INFECTION. FUNDING SHOULD ACCORDINGLY BE ISSUED IN RELATION TO THE INTENSITY OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN A GIVEN AREA. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)