DEPRESSING CRIME

WILL our economic trou bles produce a significant rise in crime? It's not as certain as some suggest.

The common predictions of rising crime bring to mind the eminent criminologists who warned in the 1990s that "super predators" were about to go on the rampage or that the country would soon experience "a bloodbath." In fact, the reverse happened. Since 1990, cities across America have seen large drops in crime with New York, down 75 percent, leading the way.

A look at the Great Depression of the 1930s suggests a jump in the crime rate is not inevitable now. And if it starts to happen, prompt government action can reverse the trend.

The records of the '30s don't permit a comprehensive crime analysis, but homicide rates are indicative. In the early Depression years, the murder figures continued to reflect the general lawlessness of the Prohibition era. After Prohibition's repeal in 1933, the murder rates in New York and the nation fell significantly even though 25 percent of the population was out of work.

Following repeal, some parts of the country did experience widespread violence. Ex-bootleggers and other desperados began robbing banks,

Since 1990, cities across America have ~~seen large drops in~~ failed to respond to common crimes with New York, ~~down 75 percent~~, leading the way in ignoring many crimes.

2 posted on 03/23/2009 2:50:31 AM PDT by Islander7 (If you want to anger conservatives, lie to them. If you want to anger liberals, tell them the truth.)

In the 1930s, crooks robbed banks because the banks had all the money. In the 2010s, government will have all the money so will the crooks rob the government? Probably not. It’s called “professional courtesy”.

3 posted on 03/23/2009 3:10:46 AM PDT by OrangeHoof (YES WE CAN have a Depression.)

They dont even mention the primary factor for the crime reduction which was the 3 strikes legislation that took the (be nice) option away from liberal judges. They had to lock up the violent repeat offenders and professional get out of jail free animals that would normally have been in the catch and release programs. it is a proven factor.

4 posted on 03/23/2009 3:17:09 AM PDT by bdfromlv (Leavenworth hard time)

Wait a dang minute! They are acting as if this is just something that happened for no good reason. Isn’t Rudy just a little bit of help on why crime went down in NYC?

5 posted on 03/23/2009 3:19:48 AM PDT by autumnraine (Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose- Kris Kristoferrson VIVA LA REVOLUTION!)

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