This piece of literature is appropriately titled as it examines the factors influencing the drastic reduction in crime the United States that has seen through recent years. Conklin particularly examines the decrease in crime that took place through the 1990’s in New York City. The beginning of the book discusses the various methods used in measuring crime and transitions into examining the rates by which categories of crime fell. The specific types of crimes discussed in this book regarding the reduction in crime include murder, auto theft, robbery and burglary. Conklin’s goal is to examine the many factors leading to the decrease in crime to understand what caused it.
What the Author is Saying Why the Crime Rates Fell uses The New York …show more content…
The first specific area the author addresses is the political one surrounding New York City in which certain police administrations during that time were claiming the reduction in crime was a direct result of new police strategy and policies. After examining tactics such as community policing, foot patrols and problem oriented policing Conklin asserts police tactics likely had very little, if anything, to do with crime reduction. Conklin does say it is more likely the number or offenders incarcerated during that time had more to do with the decline than policing techniques. The author points to the rapid expansion of incarceration as a direct link to the reduction in crime but also brings up the great cost to tax payers and the impact upon offenders lives and the lives of their families as an issue needing to be addressed. After examining the link between police involvement and reduction in crime Conklin than moves to examine societal factors that may explain the occurrence in question. Conklin examines the change drug use and the possible effects that may have played in the subject matter. Specifically, the shift seen during in drug of choice by consumers away from crack cocaine and toward marijuana. The author concludes that while drug patterns may explain a reduction in certain types of crime it cannot be connected to every category of crime in which the reduction is seen. Conklin discusses the change in use of crack cocaine as a possible factor for a decline in murder and robbery rates but not in burglary or motor vehicle theft. However, despite the possible correlation drug use in general stayed relatively stable during the 1990’s. Because of these factors no direct conclusions may be drawn from the usage of drugs use and crime rates. Next the viability in a change to the availability of firearms as a cause is examined. This area is
What the Author is Saying Why the Crime Rates Fell uses The New York …show more content…
The first specific area the author addresses is the political one surrounding New York City in which certain police administrations during that time were claiming the reduction in crime was a direct result of new police strategy and policies. After examining tactics such as community policing, foot patrols and problem oriented policing Conklin asserts police tactics likely had very little, if anything, to do with crime reduction. Conklin does say it is more likely the number or offenders incarcerated during that time had more to do with the decline than policing techniques. The author points to the rapid expansion of incarceration as a direct link to the reduction in crime but also brings up the great cost to tax payers and the impact upon offenders lives and the lives of their families as an issue needing to be addressed. After examining the link between police involvement and reduction in crime Conklin than moves to examine societal factors that may explain the occurrence in question. Conklin examines the change drug use and the possible effects that may have played in the subject matter. Specifically, the shift seen during in drug of choice by consumers away from crack cocaine and toward marijuana. The author concludes that while drug patterns may explain a reduction in certain types of crime it cannot be connected to every category of crime in which the reduction is seen. Conklin discusses the change in use of crack cocaine as a possible factor for a decline in murder and robbery rates but not in burglary or motor vehicle theft. However, despite the possible correlation drug use in general stayed relatively stable during the 1990’s. Because of these factors no direct conclusions may be drawn from the usage of drugs use and crime rates. Next the viability in a change to the availability of firearms as a cause is examined. This area is