Tyler Christensen 1 Criminal Justice Theory Analysis Tyler Christensen Southwestern College Professional Studies CJUS300 Foundations of Criminal Justice Affiliate Instructor Lionel Santiago March 24, 2013
Tyler Christensen 2 Crime is a never ending problem in society and law enforcement and criminologists are always trying to understand and find the root problem of crime and how to prevent it. Unfortunately, there is no one single answer for this problem. In chapter three of our textbook we explore three different sociological theories: social structure theory, disorganized neighborhood and social process theory. The social structure theory suggests that the source of crime comes from our economic social structure in America. This is based on individual s household income, stating that households with lower income and those in the poverty level are more exposed to crime. Therefore this makes those individuals more than likely to fall into a criminal career. The theory states, because of meager economic resources, lower-class citizens are often forced to live in slum areas plagued by substandard housing, inadequate health care, poor educational opportunities, underemployment, and despair. They live in areas with deteriorated housing and abandoned buildings, which are magnets for crime, drug dealing, and prostitution (Siegel & Worrall, 2012 pg. 107). The disorganized neighborhood theory suggests it is not necessarily the individuals in poverty or low income housing individuals. It is the fact that the neighborhood is unstable, because it is unstable there is no support structure within the community. The neighborhood theory states in our textbook, Stable neighborhoods, even those with a high rate of poverty, experience relatively low crime rates and have the strength to restrict substance abuse and criminal activity (Siegel & Worrall, 2012 pg.109). The final theory, the social process theory, is the theory I agree is more accurate. The social process theory does not base its facts on the social structure in America or on poverty levels. It is based on an individual s family, peers, individual characteristics and who they
Tyler Christensen 3 associate themselves with. Because crime is seen at all levels, the lower class and upper class, obviously crime is not strictly associated with low income or poverty stricken homes. It is everywhere. Because of who individuals associate themselves with and spend time around, they will greatly influence that individual s life and how they live it. I strongly believe this is the causational factor that leads to crime. I have seen individuals who grew up in low income homes, where mom was a prostitute and dad was in jail. But that individual worked hard and went to college and become a very successful person. The neighborhood they grew up in was run by gangs and he did not have any friends. He did not want to associate with gang members nor become included in the crime world. So he kept his head down and worked hard in school. Today he is not rich, but he has no debts and lives a good comfortable lifestyle. He is living the life he wants and that is to take care of himself living on his own two feet. AGENCY POPULATION NAME VIOLENT CRIME PROPERT Y CRIME FORCIBLE MURDER ROBBERY RAPE AGGRAV BURGLAR LARCENY- ATED Y THEFT ASSAULT MV THEFT ARSON TIPP CITY 9,689 5 213 1 2 2 42 168 3 MIAMI CO SHERIFF'S 43,670 OFFICE 11 504 5 2 4 168 316 20 10 Above are the crime statistics from my community for 2010 (the statistics for 2011 and 2012 are not yet completed). I live just outside the town of Tipp City in Miami County. Tipp City is not a big town, most of the stores and shops are locally owned businesses minus the Menard s in town. This is a very involved community that is well known for its schools and being very family oriented. I believe that is one of the reasons why crime is so low here, is because it is a very supportive community. Tipp City is not a rich community nor is it in poverty.
Tyler Christensen 4 Tipp City has everybody from low income to upper-middle class. But because everybody is very involved with one another and interacting in the community, crime is very low. In conclusion, there is no one single answer for what causes crime and how to prevent it. All we can do is learn from our mistakes as well as others and provide a good support structure not only for family but for friends as well.
Tyler Christensen 5 References Siegel, L., & Worrall, J. (2012). Introduction to criminal justice. (13th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. (2010). Crime by County 2010 Statistics. Retrieved from Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Statistics website: http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/crime_stats_reports.stm