The state of Virginia had a total population of 8.3 million in 2010 (Census, 2010). By comparison, Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, a county within the state of Virginia, had a population of 130, 649 in 2010, a 9% increase from 2009. (Census, 2010). Although not a causal relationship, an increase in population is by far the single best predictor of violent and property crime counts (Chamil & Cochran, 2004). As a result, it can be inferred that a continuing increase in population will, if not already, result in an abundance of pressure for Harrisonburg-Rockingham County court services and justice systems.
Background
Nestled between Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains, Rockingham County is located within Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. …show more content…
Harrisonburg-Rockingham County has an education system similar to many other education systems. Although separated by county lines, there are 36 schools ranging from elementary to high school for citizens to attend. Because of the roll education plays in the likelihood of success in today’s society, education is very important to obtain. In fact, Lance Lochner and Enrico Moretti (2003), find that schooling significantly reduces the probability of incarceration. Using the FBI database, the Census data, and data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Lochner et al. (2003) further suggest that the biggest impacts of education are associated with murder, assault, and motor vehicle theft. Examining the attainment of education within Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, data shows that more than half (56%) of citizens within Rockingham county have a High School diploma or less (). With a larger proportion of citizens having not competed college, there could be a correlation between the lowered education attainment and the increasing crime rates and …show more content…
Employment is important for several reasons, it boosts the economy, and it increases the way of life for those being paid; however, does ithe lack of employment result in an increase in crimes? Previous literture has sought out the answer to this problem. Accroding to a 2013 study conducted by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the magnitudes of the crime-unemployment effects presented relative to overall movements in rime rates are substantial and suggest that policies aimed at improving the employment prospects of workers facing the greatsest obstacles can be effective tools for combating crime. Their finidngs have greater implications for the correlation unemployment and crime rates. In comparison to the national unemployment rates, Harrisonburg had lower unemployment rates from 2009 to 2014 (). As seen in the chart below, only in 2014 did the two closely align. Much like Harrisonburg, Rockingham County’s unemployment rate remainded lower than the national average, even in 2014 () . The chart below graphs the three differnet unemployment rates reported for the United States, Harrisonburg, and Rockingham
Background
Nestled between Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains, Rockingham County is located within Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. …show more content…
Harrisonburg-Rockingham County has an education system similar to many other education systems. Although separated by county lines, there are 36 schools ranging from elementary to high school for citizens to attend. Because of the roll education plays in the likelihood of success in today’s society, education is very important to obtain. In fact, Lance Lochner and Enrico Moretti (2003), find that schooling significantly reduces the probability of incarceration. Using the FBI database, the Census data, and data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Lochner et al. (2003) further suggest that the biggest impacts of education are associated with murder, assault, and motor vehicle theft. Examining the attainment of education within Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, data shows that more than half (56%) of citizens within Rockingham county have a High School diploma or less (). With a larger proportion of citizens having not competed college, there could be a correlation between the lowered education attainment and the increasing crime rates and …show more content…
Employment is important for several reasons, it boosts the economy, and it increases the way of life for those being paid; however, does ithe lack of employment result in an increase in crimes? Previous literture has sought out the answer to this problem. Accroding to a 2013 study conducted by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the magnitudes of the crime-unemployment effects presented relative to overall movements in rime rates are substantial and suggest that policies aimed at improving the employment prospects of workers facing the greatsest obstacles can be effective tools for combating crime. Their finidngs have greater implications for the correlation unemployment and crime rates. In comparison to the national unemployment rates, Harrisonburg had lower unemployment rates from 2009 to 2014 (). As seen in the chart below, only in 2014 did the two closely align. Much like Harrisonburg, Rockingham County’s unemployment rate remainded lower than the national average, even in 2014 () . The chart below graphs the three differnet unemployment rates reported for the United States, Harrisonburg, and Rockingham