Running head: CRIME PREVENTION 1

Crime Prevention

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Thesis: Juvenile crime is a major issue in society, and crime prevention programs have to

ensure that these offenders are reintegrated back into the society once they face the justice

system. In many scenarios, any individual accused of a crime and is under the age of 18 is

considered as a juvenile. In many states, there are specific limitations for juvenile offenders.

Essentially, these are individuals between 10 to 18 years, while other states limit the age to 16-17

years old. The juvenile courts are responsible for deciding if the defendant should be charged

with a particular crime. Furthermore, it determines the results of the heinous crime. The juvenile

can also be referred to an adult court if their conviction requires such a court (Fennelly, 2012).

Indeed, minors are a unique aspect of the population who commit a crime, and it can be tough to

deal with cases involving such individuals.

The criminal justice system is defined as practices and structures by the government that

seeks to deter and mitigate crime. It is also involved in implementing societal control

mechanisms and determining the individuals who commit a crime and the penalties and

rehabilitations efforts necessary to change them. Essentially, the justice system is within a

context of entire variants that seek to stop or prevent criminal behavior among the populations

(Lab, 2016). This is an essential in the community and society as it acts as a mechanism to

ensure the peaceful coexistence of individuals. It details ways to deal with a crime and to

maintain the eminence of life.

Summary of Jurisdiction and Portion of Criminal Justice System

For many years, a large number of individuals and states have believed that the juvenile

system acts as a way to defend the population by providing a system that responds to the needs

who are becoming adults or are maturing. Many states in America have determined that the

crimes committed by children cannot be equated to those committed by adults. This means that
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children will require a different response or mode of assistance to ensure that they do not engage

in crime again. Additionally, adults have more opportunities and capacities to commit a crime in

comparison to children. As a means to deal with juvenile delinquency, many states have come up

with a youth-centric service delivery mechanism that differs from the structures sued among

adults (Schneider, 2014). The juvenile structure and the criminal justice system allow police to

arrest any individual who engages in any crime. They case can then be charged on them, and

they will be expected to face legal consequences that arise from crime. The individual will then

be taken to a hearing of their cases, and the court can then make a resolution based on evidence

and disputes by lawyers. The court has the power to punish and penalize any individual who acts

in an unlawful manner or criminal activities as based on the punishments and penalties that have

been decided by the courts (Mays & Ruddell, 2012).

Occurrences of the crimes comprise:

Rape either as an individual or as a gang

Mistreating men, women, and children
Domestic violence
Burglary and theft
Terrorism and interacting with terrorists knowingly
Murder
Physical abuse leading to injury
Sexual, violent activities either at work or home
Crimes committed by children while at schools such as murder and sexual abuse

Many activities and instances can be regard as a crime. The justice system is formulated to

deal with any offence to ensure that the community and citizenry will live in peace. It also seeks

to prevent violence. Moreover, the juvenile system provides an effective means to deal with

crimes committed by young individuals (Crowe & Fennelly, 2013).

Current trend analysis

The current history of the US criminal justice system is characterised with the progress
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that has traditionally relied on yardsticks. This means that the changes occurred in a consistent

manner and were based on previous advantages of the efforts put in place. For the past 2 decades,

the changes that have taken place in the justice system were in form of balanced and restorative

justice, movement in support of the rights of the victims, community policing, community-based

trials, speciality courts (to deal with issues such as drugs, mental illness, and re-entry), and an

increase in focus towards issues of violence affecting women. The courts are dealing with wide

ranges of cases that are within the states issues above. Moreover, the US is characterized by a

high rate of violence, and the justice system is fully engaged in dealing with this societal issue.

The SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) is effective in analyzing three

cities. These are Chicago, Florida, and New York. The Crime Analysis Triangle is also used to

understand the trends in crime among the youths (Clarke & Eck, 2003).

Success in dealing with violent crime is realised through a reduction in the levels and

prevalence of such crimes. Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), an FBI agency dealing with

investigations, provided data on the violent crime rates in 2002. In Chicago and New York, the

rates were considered as 29% lower in comparison to 1994. This is similar to the national data of

25%. Additionally, the homicide rate is much lower in comparison to the 1960s. Indeed, the

society has made many signs of progress when it comes to dealing with violent crimes and

criminal behavior. In the 1980s, the homicide ratio per 100,000 individuals was at 10.1

nationally, 15 in Chicago, 13 I New York and 11 in Florida. This level has been on the decrease,

it is about 5.4 in the 1990s and 2000. In 1993, the ratio for each 100,000 females who

encountered forceful rape was much higher, and it reduced by 21% by 2002 to 60 nationally, 58

in Chicago and 60 in Florida and New York. Many changes have occurred to deal with property

crimes. Larger steps were additionally taken to diminish crime as regards to property. As per the
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details provided through FBI UCR, there exist 10,450,325 crimes as regards to property in U.S.

in the year 2002, losing 400,000 from the year 1983, when there exist just 55 million fewer

populace (Schneider, 2014). This was about

Great strides were also made in reducing property crime. According to FBI UCR data, the

US witnessed 10,000,000 in 2002. It was much lower in comparison to 1984 where property

crimes were at 11million. Even though experts have different perspectives about the progress in

reducing property crimes, these changes are attributed to the financial systems. Other reasons

include a stability of drug marketplaces, restructuring of the social policy and decrease in

joblessness (Lab, 2016).

Crime Prevention Strategy

Several crime prevention strategies can be applied in the current context.

Law enforcement

Law enforcement is defined as the structure from which a few individuals in the

community follow actions in a legal manner to limit acts by deterring, rehabilitating, discovering

and providing discipline for people who do not follow the law, policies, and norms. Essentially, it

serves as a means to regulate the community and maintain peace (Lab, 2016).

The civil liberties held by humans can be analyzed and researched based on the criminal

justice system. Essentially, the rights held by humans are a major issue of concern. This includes

issues such as privacy, quality of every person, sexual cruelty, security, tax avoidance practices,

ill-treatment, and abuses. Individuals are treated differently due to their cultural differences and

beliefs such as indigenous individuals are viewed differently in comparison to others. Privacy is

also an important issue for many people. The privacy of an individual is often limited when their

personal information is accessed without permission and used to do harm. In many cases, private
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information is often not protected, and this entices criminals to use the information. A case to

consider is criminals who steal an individuals bank account information, and they use this

access to make unwarranted purchases. Cybercrime has been on the rise, especially in emails and

social media. Criminals through a variety of means dupe many people (Mays & Ruddell, 2012).

A significant number of the perpetrators are often juveniles as they have more knowledge on

technological trends and have sufficient skills.

Barriers

A major issue that limits the development of human rights in the need for the population

to be aware of the laws or privileges supported by laws. Indeed, the lack of information is a

major barrier. Many individuals in a country are unaware of their rights and responsibilities as

established by law. This would mean that they are not aware when an unlawful practice or event

occurs. Additionally, there are some cases where people do not fight for their rights in the society

due to their economic position. This is often the case where wealthy individuals force poor

people to commit unlawful acts (Fennelly, 2012). Young individuals often engage in crime due to

financial issues, or lack of knowledge or education or even poverty. These are common issues in

the society and often lead to criminal behavior.

Use of Laws in crime prevention

The term law details the unique things that occur at different times. The law is a

structure of rules that guide actions and behavior in the society. They are standard and apply to

everyone within a particular society under a particular jurisdiction. It is characterised with a

mandatory lawful power and controls privilege. This means that the laws guide everyone in the

society. It is essential to maintain peace and justice in the society (Clarke & Eck, 2003).

Crime Prevention programs

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Suppression is an effective crime prevention program. This program is a universal choice

for law enforcement and the justice system to deal with juvenile delinquency. Suppression entails

activities by the police to prevent criminal behavior and activities. It is often intended for

juveniles, especially those engaged in gangs and are in possession of dangerous weapons such as

those in Chicago and New York (Mays & Ruddell, 2012).

The suppression approach entails killing or arresting juveniles who commit crimes to

prevent or finish their continuation of criminal activity in the public. The police also have the

authority to abolish and stop the criminals or crime. The police are also responsible for efforts

that lead to identification and arrest of the criminals. The police can also withhold certain

information from the public for security purposes. It can often be the case when the police are

after a juvenile suspect in the society. Considering the age of minors, it is often difficult to arrest

such as individual as many of them do not have identification cards (Crowe & Fennelly, 2013).

However, the police have the power to arrest anyone engaged in crime despite their age.

The police are also expected to respond to a crime in a professional manner. It means that

the criminal is provided with an occupation or education to prevent the recurrence of a crime. It

is the case where the criminal was forced to steal or commit burglary because they have no

money for food. In this case, the police should establish or utilize appropriate institutions to

assist such an individual (Schneider, 2014). This strategy is applicable in a three jurisdictions of

New York, Chicago, and Florida. It will minimize criminal activities in the

The opportunities provision strategy is also a means to minimize crimes among juveniles.

It is based on the need to provide youths with opportunities and positions that will ensure that

avoid criminal behavior. A large number of youths commit a crime during holidays when they

are not in school. Essentially, if they are given an opportunity to practice valuable skills such ass
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through summer camps, they will avoid criminal activity. Other activities that are among the

opportunity provision program include job training, education tutorings such as hackathons and

job placement. It is most effective in states such as New York and Chicago with a large number

of youths who can be engaged in criminal behaviors. Indeed, this strategy will ensure that they

are involved in helpful activities in the society (Crowe & Fennelly, 2013). The American

government has promoted the strategy, and through this, it will be effective in preventing crime

within the locales.

Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) is also a crime prevention strategy. It

relies on the use of instruction as a means of dealing with crime. It entails a curriculum that is

intended for schools. It allows children to learn about the justice system, crime, offences, and

advantages of avoiding criminal behavior. It is an effective technique that is applicable in the

case of Chicago where crimes, gun violence, and murder are common. Essentially, GREAT seeks

to educate the youth on the dangers of criminal behavior so that they avoid crime. It also allows

them to understand the consequences of committing a crime and the crime prevention programs

in place (Clarke & Eck, 2003).

A recommendation of a funding strategy for program implementation

The program that entails supporting the juvenile justice system will involve funding from

well-established juvenile organizations and agencies. It can involve children support

organizations, social work groups, and NGOs that seek to protect the right of children. Moreover,

the population can also play a role in funding the program. It will ensure that the program will be

effective in training and educate the youth about the justice system and crimes (Fennelly, 2012).

The funds can be used in supporting schools to educate the young, and creating programs to

assist juvenile offenders.

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Anticipated outcomes

The crime prevention program seeks to deal with juvenile offences in the community.

Essentially, it will act as a deterrence mechanism to prevent crimes, and provides a means of

ensuring that criminals undergo through effective systems that will reintegrate them back to the

society and prevents more activities that are criminal (Fennelly, 2012). The long-term outcomes

involve a reduction in crime while the short-term outcome involves ensuring that victims of

crimes get justice.

Conclusion

Juvenile crime is a major issue in society, and crime prevention programs have to make

sure that these offenders are reintegrated back into the society once they face the justice system.

Currently, the justice system and the police are looking into the best ways of engaging with the

youth and reducing juvenile offences. Many variables can lead to crime such as poverty, personal

issues among others. Programs such as educating communities but crimes and GREAT will

prove beneficial in reducing rates of crime in the society among juveniles.

References

Clarke, R. V., & Eck, J. E. (2003). Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps.

Crowe, T. D., & Fennelly, L. J. (2013). Crime prevention through environmental design.

Amsterdam: Elsevier.
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Fennelly, L. J. (2012). Handbook of loss prevention and crime prevention. Waltham, Mass.:

Elsevier.

Lab, S. P. (2016). Crime Prevention: Approaches, Practices, and Evaluations. New York:

Routledge.

Mays, L., & Ruddell, R. (2012). Do the crime, do the time: juvenile criminals and adult justice

in the American court system. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger.

Schneider, S. (2014). Crime Prevention: Theory and Practice, Second Edition. Boca Raton, FL:

CRC Press.