Examine the factors to which increases in violent crime can be attributed. Brainstorm potential consequences of the forces that have traditionally led to the decrease in the rates of violent crime. Explore the forces that have led to the reduction of violent crime. Create a poster based upon their research. Evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies and propose contemporary strategies.
Students then share their answers.
In the article, criminal justice experts James Alan Fox and Alfred Blumstein both postulate that the murder rate cannot go any lower. In judging the safety of New York City, New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir suggests that it might be more accurate to look at the broader range of serious crimes, rather than just homicide. To what does Sgt. More criminals in prison, innovative police strategies, intense community efforts to work with troubled youths, a waning of the crack cocaine epidemic and a strong economy providing more jobs in impoverished neighborhoods. Each group should brainstorm what they think are the positive and negative outcomes of their assigned violent crime reduction strategy or force.