Peter K. B. St. Jean Theory Of Crime

The book, Pockets of Crime Broken Windows, Collective Efficacy and the Criminal Point of View is a methodological approach to the study of urban crime. The author Peter K.B. St. Jean examines crime from an ecological perspective using a sociological framework. He focuses on the idea of neighborhood impact factors that lead to criminal behavior. He focuses on how certain urban areas are unevenly developed; which leads to how crime can occur more often in certain locations that offer specific criminals advantages. In my book report, I want to evaluate criminal behavior based on the context of St. Jean theory while also looking at how they relate to the context of my own theories. I will also identify the main points of theories and key findings …show more content…
Jean asks is "Why do crimes occur more frequently in certain neighborhood locations as opposed to others." The book talks about how limiting quantitative data was Instead of coming to his conclusion through limited quantitative data he instead focused on qualitative data. It was primarily through the information provided by community members or a community offender that St. Jean arrived at his conclusion. St. Jean’s research focuses on using extensive interviews with offenders and others to understand how to measure neighborhood disorder. He also looks to try an understand how collective efficacy influences certain individual's crime-related behavior. Essentially in his book St. Jean proposed that specific places within the urban environment provide high levels of criminal opportunity. His argument is that areas advantageous for criminals are an environmental disadvantage for a neighborhood. He found that the prevalence of drugs, robberies, and violent crime was dependent on the specific characteristics of favorable locations. The less guarded and protected parts of the neighborhood are the more advantages and control it gives to criminals. He talks about how drug dealers rely on the stability of three ecological advantages. Those being high demand, high supply, and high exchange opportunities. Essentially in his book St. Jean proposed that specific places within the urban environment provide high levels of criminal opportunity. Certain places …show more content…
The lifestyle theory is the idea that individuals have a high risk of becoming crime victims if their patterns of behavior expose them to victimization. I think, although this theory focuses more so on deviant behavior and weak social bonds it has merit within the context of St Jean Pockets of Crime. People are much more likely to commit criminal acts if the neighborhoods are run down and dangerous. Criminal behavior is much more likely if the places, people live in are in poor condition and community ties are weak. This then creates a potential cycle where individuals are more likely to hang out and spend time with people we these same ideals and in turn use illegal drugs, binge drink, and spend time in high crime areas often being armed and using