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Running Header: Urban Crime: Prevention in the Inner City

Urban Crime: Prevention in the Inner City

Asunción Jiménez

Assignment #4

PAD 622/ National University

Instructor Davodi-Far

September 27, 2010

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Abstract:

The focus of this paper consists mainly on the causes for high crime rates in the inner-

city communities of the United States as well as the solutions and alternatives which can be

provided to not only deter but also curb the presence of crime in these communities. Even

though race is not an issue on determining why crime is more rampant in inner city

neighborhoods, the majority of residents who pertain to these areas are minorities,

(predominantly Black and Latino) as described by Rosenthal (2000). However, the main

determinant of criminal activity in inner-cities is correlated with poor social status and a low

income, as well as a high percentage rate of unemployment per households (Bartik 2000). There

are simple ideas that, if applied correctly, may be solutions to the ever-growing crime and

violence plaguing our inner-cities. Our local governments can and should provide for extra-

curricular activities for our nation’s youth in order to keep them busy and away from the “street

life.”

A neighborhood’s physical characteristics and infrastructure may also contribute to crime

and criminal activity. Most inner-city neighborhoods contain a relatively high concentration of

liquor stores and alcohol-related advertising per square mile (in contrast to other residential

areas), fostering an atmosphere which may be further conducive to criminal behavior. Peak &

Glensor (2002) recommend adding more lighting to dark places and reinforcing “high crime”

zones by increasing available police units to deter crime from the areas. I will be exploring the

causes and different solutions proposed to not only deter but hopefully one day, prevent crime

and criminal activity in the inner-city communities of the United States.

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The city of Los Angeles is portrayed in the media as a beautiful metropolis surrounded

by luxuries and celebrities (such as athletes, movie stars, artists, etc.); but all too often what is

not publicized is the high incidence of crime concentrated in Los Angeles’ inner-city area

(conveniently located only a few minutes away from the tourist sites). Los Angeles is not,

however, the exception. Most major United States cities (those consisting of over a million

residents) report the highest crime and criminal activity in their inner-city communities (Dilulio,

1996). Why is it that inner-cities in the United States have the highest concentration of crime?

There are many factors contributing to these statistics, one being that the inner-cities contain the

lowest-income households and have a comparatively high unemployment rate. Inner-city

communities are also deficient in extra-curricular activities for youth. In turn, youth focus their

attention to the streets, which in most cases leads to negative actions and criminal activity

(Beattie, 2003). Since people in the inner-city do not have the same options as high income

residents, they often turn to the streets of their communities as a means of social entertainment.

Seemingly harmless activities, such as a group of friends gathering in front of a house and/or a

street corner [loitering], can lead to an increase in crime and criminal activity (Rosenthal 2000).

There are different approaches at preventing crime in the inner-city, including one theory known

as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (Peak & Glensor 2002), which

recommends re-structuring buildings and adding safety equipment such as surveillance cameras

to street corners in order to deter crime from a specific area.

Dilulio (1996) states that alcohol advertising is extremely over-represented in our

nation’s inner-city communities. Frequent alcohol advertising and distribution naturally leads to
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a high consumption rate among neighborhood residents. Dilulio (1996) argues that liquor

companies target inner-city communities and youth by glamorizing their ads and making it seem

“cool” to consume their product. For example, in the early 1990's, gangster rapper Ice Cube was

the official spokesman for the St. Ides malt liquor drink. He appeared in numerous ads and

billboards throughout inner-city communities in the United States, yet not one ad was placed in

upscale neighborhoods in which total household income doubled. Unfortunately, youth would

interpret Ice Cube (a successful young black male from the inner city) as a role model and seeing

him drink malt liquor gave them the “OK” to consume themselves. Due to the plentitude of

liquor stores within inner-city environments, negative factors are often present. As the presence

of liquor becomes commonplace within the community, so too does that of litter, vandalism, and

vagrants (particularly “winos”), creating a negative aspect to residents and, especially, outsiders.

Dilulio (1996) believes these factors promote the idea of a crime-rampant area in which

residents become indifferent to and/or participate in the criminal activity themselves. However,

there are ways of alleviating the eye sore which plague the inner-city communities; Dilulio

(1996) recommends three steps to eliminate the problem:

1. Conduct systematic empirical research on alcohol availability and crime.

2. Impose stricter zoning ordinances for liquor stores.

3. Limit alcoholic beverage advertising.

These three propositions by Dilulio (1996) set out to relieve some of the problems brought on by

alcohol consumption. By imposing stricter zoning ordinances for liquor stores, residents

encounter fewer liquor stores within their immediate vicinity. This in turn should help to curb

the filth and un-welcome visitors encouraged by the mere presence of such stores. Additionally,

by limiting alcoholic beverage advertising, our youth will not be tempted into these degenerate
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lifestyles through the use of glamorizing ads which feature attractive women or other enticing

scenes. Limiting ads will also eliminate the notion of a community being permissive with

alcohol consumption and the negative actions which come along with it.

According to Bartik (2000), an important step in reducing crime in major United States

inner-cities is to provide a source of income that gives back to the community, such as creating

more jobs in the community. Jobs can provide people with alternatives to crime, and also help

residents direct their actions in a positive manner which benefits both themselves and society.

Jobs also provide youth with a positive ways of earning income, instead of selling drugs or

stealing. It should not be solely relegated unto local governments to take on such a burden.

Rather, the Federal Government should aid by either offering tax cuts to companies who relocate

into the inner-city, or by offering grants to attract large businesses. In the end, all facets of

society benefits from the existence of such programs; needy people are provided with a source of

income, the city generates more internal revenue, and crime rate drops making for a safer

community for all residents [Bartik (2000)].

Another major problem affecting our inner-city communities in the United States

concerns gangs and gang activity. Since inner-city communities tend to be at or below the

poverty line,

the fastest solution for youth to obtain funds is through illegal activity. According to Rosenthal

(2000), the 1998 National Youth Gang Survey found that reporting jurisdictions identified a

larger proportion of gang members involved in drug sales than any other form of criminal

activity and that 34 percent of all gangs were considered "drug gangs." Academic researchers

relying on self-reporting by urban youth have also consistently reported heavy involvement of

inner-city gangs in narcotics sales. The sale and distribution of drugs is the preferred choice of
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criminal activity among street gangs in the United States. In order to maintain a convenient drug

selling environment, gang members and drug dealers loiter on the streets to intimidate citizens,

as well as to inform drug users they can obtain illegal drugs. Loitering (in regards to gang

members) also serves as a ‘territorial marker,’ which can then lead to violence over trying to

gain control if it is a high grossing area in the illegal drug market. Gang members who loiter

also vandalize and commit crime in their neighborhood in order to intimidate neighborhood

residents into avoiding seeking help from local authorities. Therefore, police investigations

become nullified by lack of information and witness testimony in their quest to eliminating the

increasingly growing drug activity which plagues inner city neighborhoods throughout the

United States. Rosenthal (2000) suggests law abiding community citizens must team up with

local authorities by reporting criminal activity when it is taking place so police officers may do

their job in removing perpetrators from society.

Peter Beattie (2003) has come up with an extensive research project titled: The Strategy.

The project focuses on the outcome of extensive consultations across the State of New York

with community members, non-government service providers, voluntary groups, and community

agencies. A discussion paper entitled “Tough on crime, Tough on the causes of crime”, was

released in 1999 and used as the basis for community consultations. The main goal of the

strategy is to build safer and more supportive communities through targeted, coordinated, and

consultative initiatives that help reduce and prevent crime. To achieve this long-term vision, the

strategy must have five goals:

>Strengthening communities

>Supporting families, children and young people

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>Reducing violence

>Enhancing public safety

>Dealing with offending

The theory arose from an understanding that in order to reduce crime, it is necessary to be tough

on the causes of crime. It has long been recognized that imprisonment alone will not deter

crime. Therefore, a range of responses including situational, criminal justice system,

developmental, and community approaches are incorporated under the Queensland Crime

Prevention Strategy.

Another previously-mentioned strategy includes Crime Prevention Through

Environmental Design (C.P.T.E.D.), which was designed by Peak & Glensor (2002) to deter

crime from certain areas. The main idea of C.P.T.E.D. is to make a designated area unappealing

to criminals and anyone with intentions of harming the community and/or its occupants. If

applied correctly, this theory can be successful in reducing crime in inner-city communities

throughout the United States as well as other countries with similar problems. Wrought-iron

fencing with locks accessible only to residents can be put up to keep anybody which does not

belong on the premises from loitering (gang members and/or drug dealers). It may also serve to

detain anyone trying to flee the scene of a crime, but may also leave tenants feeling as if they are

the ones who are confined. Surveillance cameras can be put up in designated areas where gang

members gather, loiter, sell drugs, and/or vandalize property (graffiti). Surveillance cameras can

help identify whoever is involved, and may deter gangsters from hanging out in that certain area.

Another simple yet successful idea to prevent criminal activity is keeping the area well lit and

providing enough street light to make criminals uncomfortable

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References

Bartik,T.J., (2000). Crime solving in the inner city: Solving the many problems with inner city
jobs. Journal of Criminal Justice.25 (1), 1-19.

Beattie,Peter.(2003). Queensland crime prevention strategy. Building Safer Communities,11-19.

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Curtis,Richard. (1998). The improbable transformation of inner-city neighborhoods: Crime,

violence, drugs, and youth in the 1990's. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology.88
(4), 1233-1277.

Dilulio,John J. Jr. (1996). Broken bottles: Alcohol, disorder, and crime. The Brookings
Review.14 (2), 14-18.

Peak,H. & Glensor,T., (2002). Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving. New York:
Prentice Hall.

Rosenthal,Lawrence. (2000). Gang loitering and race. Journal of Criminal Law and
Criminology.91 (1), 99-161.