Crime In My Community: A Community Analysis

There is nothing like falling asleep to the wailing sounds of sirens and air being broken by helicopters in the air. It seems as if there is never a day that goes by without a new crime being committed in the dense streets of Crenshaw. The presence of gangs and criminals has negatively impacted the lives of people in my community by instilling fear and worry onto those looking to live peaceful and righteous lives; however, people in my community state that this issue could be improved by bringing government attention to these high crime areas. While there has been attempts to improve outcomes for people in this area, the consequences of poverty, the lack of effective law enforcement and the failed attempts to reduce crime, as wells as the abuse of drugs, have continued to perpetuate …show more content…
Violent crime was led by a 19.2% jump in aggravated assaults and a 16.8% increase in robberies” (Poston and Mather 1). These statistics alone should send a red flag to the government, as previous attempts to have a bigger police presence have failed. If the potential for severe punishment does not work to dissuade individuals, then it is obvious the problem and solution lies elsewhere. The problem lies in the environment, the social conditions, and the overall disadvantages of being poor. The economist Gary Becker of the University of Chicago argues, “crime is a rational act, committed when the criminal’s ‘expected utility’ exceeds that of using his time and other resources in pursuit of alternative activities, such as leisure or legitimate work” (Kelly 1). If people in this neighborhood were provided with opportunities that helped them move up in life, they might be less likely to participate in