Crime in America Mr Schoffstall BGHS Law and

Crime in America Mr. Schoffstall BGHS Law and Individual Chapter 7 Crime has many types of faces, it may be a teenager snatching a woman’s purse, or a career criminal planning a kidnapping. It may be a youth that steals a car for a joyride or a car theft ring that steals it for later sale. It might be a professional criminal who profits from organized gambling, extortion, or narcotics traffic, or the politician who takes a bribe. Crime is a violation of a law established to protect people and maintain an orderly society. Crime is something one does or fails to do that is in violation of a law, behavior for which there is a set penalty. Learning Target: Identify causes of crime in America

Victims of Crimes Factors that impact the likelihood of becoming a victim include: - Age - Gender - Place/Location - Poverty - Race/Ethnicity - Social Class

Causes of Crime Poverty Unemployment Lack of Education Drug and Alcohol Abuse Inadequate Police Protection Gangs / Gang Activity also contributes to crime in some communities

Causes of Crime Continued Rising Population Lack of Parental Guidance Breakdown in Morals Ineffective Correctional Systems Little Chance of Being Caught / Punished Influence of Media (TV / Film) Disparity of Opportunity (rich vs. . poor)

Other Potential Causes of Crime Sense of Risk / Thrill in an Act Peer/Group Support or Pressure Lack of Parental Support / Guidance Small number of people do not develop a sense of empathy (or understanding for others)

Crime in America

Gangs and Crime Questions to Ponder Regarding Gang Activity in America. Source: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ese 9 X 0 qzui. U 1. Roughly how many gangs are active in the United States? 2. Roughly how many gang MEMBERS are active in the United States? 3. Do you think the majority of gang-related violent crime is committed against people in OTHER gangs? 4. Do you think that gang activities are likely to spill into high schools and middle schools?

Gangs in the 19 th Century Composed of Adults To protect TURF To protect REPUTATION To protect CULTURAL HERITAGE

Gangs : Then and Now Then: Fights involved fists or brass knuckles Now: Involves guns - Drive-by shootings have replaced the on-foot hit-and-run attacks Initiation rites are much more severe

Gangs Today… Broader AGE RANGE of members More with PRISON RECORDS (ties to prison inmates) More TECHNOLOGY MORE ADVANCED WEAPONS MORE use of Drugs / Alcohol (thus more likely to be involved in DRUG TRAFFICKING -Highly PROFITABLE

Who Joins Gangs and Why? Risk for Gang Involvement Include: Poverty Failure in School Feelings of Alienation Substance Abuse Family Dysfunction Domestic and Community Violence Myths include wealth, and prestige

5 Myths of Gangs #1 Low Self Esteem #2 Coercion? (Forced) NO! #3 Absence of Father? (Father I. e. Hispanics - No correlation #4 Not Very Bright Person? NO! figure) would a sophisticated gang recruit ‘idiots? ’ #5 Mentally Ill? NO Source: “Islands in the Street” Gangs and American Urban Society

Deviant Social Behavior Deviant Social Behavior is the best attempt by the individual to MAXIMIZE the resources in their environment In any Deviant Sub-Culture, the symbols, values, norms of behavior are the DISTORTED, DISTILLED CHARACTERS of DOMINENT CULTURE Ex: BMW / ROLEX, MERCEDES

In Reality, Men Seek to Fulfill the 6 P’s of Masculinity 1. Power - High Social Status 2. Position - Social Hierarchy 3. Possession - Material 4. Procreate - (alpha male) 5. Protector 6. Provider * NOT CULTURALLY LEARNED UBIQUIOUS - FOR ALL TIME!!!