Trends in Crime Statistics
Wouldn’t it be nice if society could go back to a time where people didn’t really have to lock their doors at night. It would be nice, but how safe are we when you think about it? According to the FBI, violent crimes have been on the rise for over a decade. But basically, every time you turn on the TV you are hearing about someone who has been the victim of a violent crime or your watching one of your favorite television dramas that reflect real life violence. (Hough)
There are four major types of violent crimes, they include: robbery, murder, rape, and aggravated assault. (Hough) This doesn’t include the numerous of other crimes that often can turn very violent from home invasions to baby snatching or just regular kidnapping.
Every year there are over a million serious crimes reported around the country. Assault is usually at the top of that list. The FBI says that violent crimes have been on the rise for a very long time. (Hough). One reason that crime is on the rise is the mentality that many people in society have and its that it can’t happen to them or something like that only happens to certain people. That just isn’t true. I don’t think it ever was.
Forty years ago, there were violent crimes. Right now is 2010. For years ago is was the sixties where racial relations were not good. Racism ran rampant along with segregation. There were racially motivated violent crimes during that period. When it comes to considering how violence has increased or decreased, you have to take into account different factors such as the time period where racial equality wasn’t the way it is today. Also, the economy was a lot different back then as well. Right now, some people in society may resort to robbery and other crimes as a means to support themselves and or their families. While I do not think that that is acceptable, all factors must be looked into.
How will current and future ethical perspectives shape the criminal justice system in the 21st Century? That’s a tough one because society is currently divided on the direction of the criminal justice system. We are also at odds on issues such as the death penalty. Many members in society want child molesters to be given the death penalty. I am against this for one main reason. Child molesters and rapists are sick individuals. I sincerely feel that threatening them with death will not stop them, it will only make them be sure to not leave a living witness. That’s’ where morals and ethics come in. Would you rather have a dead child or a traumatized child. Criminals are not going to stop when it comes to threats, they will just try and find ways to keep themselves from getting caught.
References
Hough, Bryan. Violent Crime Is on the Rise in America Today. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Violent-Crime-is-on-the-Rise-in-America-Today&id=3919931 on November 10, 2010.
