Trends in Crime, Policing and Crime Prevention

Presented by

American CrimePrevention Institute

Trends in Crime, Policing & Crime Prevention

• Population

• Since 9/11

• Crime

• Policing

• Crime Prevention

Trend

• A prevailing tendency or direction

• A reflection upon the immediate past, the current environment and the near (2-4 years) future.

Population Trends

• The population in the United States and the world is aging.Approximately 10% of the world’s population

is now over 60. This will double by 2050.There has been a 23% increase in the 65 and

older population in the U.S. in the last 10 years.Demographics – “Baby Boomers”Health Care

The two “oldest” countries are Japan and Italy – with a quarter of their population currently over 60.

• Many industrial countries are losing their populations due to declining birth rates.To maintain population, the birthrate per

woman needs to be 2.1 (1.7 in Britain, 1.3 in Italy, 1.2 in Spain)

• The U.S. population is growingIncreasing birth rates (2.13 in 2001 vs 1.75 in

1976)Decline in teen birth rateImmigrationAffluent society

• By 2005, whites will be less than 50% of the U.S. population.

September 11, 2001….What Has Changed:

• Enhanced image of firefighters police and military

• Local Law Enforcement AgenciesBolstering security for community places and

infrastructureLosing officers who serve in the National

Guard and military reserve.Budget problems or difficulties

Heightened concern about biological and chemical terrorism – requires police response – “anthrax scare”

Emergency response trainingEmphasis upon community policing may lessenIncreased issues associated with civil libertiesHomeland security issues

• Federal AgenciesFBI’s role in anti-terrorismFBI to back out of local crime issuesCooperation between federal agencies

• High tech weapons and security systems

• Other?

Crime Trends

• Reduction in Crime Rates – 10 Consecutive YearsStrong Employment – Until recent economic downturn,

very low levels of unemployment – crime rates have relationship to unemployment levels – some recently lost U.S. jobs will be lost forever – manufacturing moving to other countries – increase productivity

Decrease in Number of Young People (18-24) Increased Prison Population

1900 - 57,070 adults in US local, state and federal jails and prisons. 122 inmates for every 100,000 Americans

2000 - 1,982,084 adults in US prisons and jails. 725 inmates for every 100,000 Americans

“Clinton Cops”- more police officers

Federal prison population increasing while state prison population decreasing

Some state easing stringent laws on prison timeCalifornia referendum mandating drug treatment

instead of incarceration for 1st & 2nd time offendersStates spend $30 billion a year to operate their prisonsExecutions decreasing – reduction in crime – doubts

about reliability of verdicts.

Decrease in Drug Wars- less violenceIncrease Abortions = Fewer Unwanted,

Economically Deprived ChildrenCommunity Policing“Broken Windows Theory” - increased

emphasis on quality of life crimes and commander accountability

Juvenile Justice - treat as adults

• Society has created new crime titles or categories - often media creations…Workplace Violence - “Going Postal”Car JackingBinge DrinkingAcquaintance/Date RapeDesigner DrugsHate Crimes

Road Rage“Airline Rage”“Parking Lot Rage”“Sports Activity Rage”“Grocery Store Rage”

• More High-Tech - Computer-Related CrimesBusiness-Related EspionageCramming -fraudulent telephone chargesHackingFraud and Embezzlement

• Internet-Related CrimeChild PornographyCyberstalking Internet Fraud (Online Auctions) Identity Theft

• Increase in Theft of Laptop Computers

• More Cargo Theft

• Concern About Crime in Schools

• Marijuana Use –Replace Crack as Drug of Choice for 18-20 Year Olds

• Use of Oxycontin – “Hillbilly Heroin”

• Drug Facilitated Sexual Assaults - GHB and Rohypnol

• Use of Designer Drugs - Ecstasy

• Road Rage and Aggressive Driving• Increase in Bank Robberies – Rural Environment• Auto Theft - Near International Borders• Bicycle Theft - High Value• Elder Abuse - Crimes Against Senior Citizens• Identity Theft• Acquaintance/Date Rape - Increased Reporting• Domestic Violence - Increased Reporting

• Problems with the Indigent, Transient and Homeless Population

• Problems with Persons with Developmental Disabilities

• Church Crimes• ATM-Related Crimes• Constructions Site Crime Prevention

Policing Trends• Community Policing – Losing Emphasis in Some

Environments• Problem-Solving Policing• Increased Emphasis Upon Crime Prevention –

Counterterrorism – Budget Cutbacks May Hurt• “Broken Windows” Theory - Emphasis Upon

“Quality of Life” Offenses• Focused Crime Analysis Strategies - Crime

Mapping• Difficulty in Recruiting

• Development of High Tech Crime Units

• Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force

• High Speed Computer-Based Information Access

• Concerns About Use of Force

• Other(?)

Crime Prevention Trends

• May lose support: Chief Gil Kerlikowske of the Seattle Police Department said: “Historically, every budget cut for the last 25 years has almost always started with crime prevention, because it’s difficult for anyone to evaluate the crime reduction impact of those programs.”

• Use of Internet in Crime Prevention

• Use of Volunteers

• Citizen Police Academies

• CPTED Community Ordinances

• Youth-directed Crime Prevention Programs

• Senior Citizen-directed Crime Prevention Programs

• Use of Public-Access Cable Television

• Local Alarm Ordinances

• Automated Phone Calling Systems

• Crime-Free Multi-Housing

• Identity Theft Programs

• Church Crime Prevention Programs

• Construction Site Crime Prevention

• ATM Safety and Security

• Convenience Store Security

• Other?

THANK YOU

The American Crime Prevention Institute is a division of the AEGIS Protection Group, Inc.