One of the fundamental goals of every government should be to create a crime-free society.
People commit crimes for many reasons; some steal because they are broke and need money, while others do so because they are under peer pressure. However, some of these crimes may result in homicide. According to new research on crime trends published by the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), homicides in United States cities grew by five percent in 2021 compared to 2020 and 44 percent compared to 2019.
Factors Contributing to Homicide Increase
According to law enforcement officials, criminologists, and research analysts, certain factors caused the dramatic surge in homicides. However, they cite COVID-19 pandemic stress, George Floyd’s murder, and increased gun sales as the main factors contributing to the homicide increase in major US cities.
#1. Pandemic Stress
According to statistics, the homicide rate in the United States in the first year of COVID-19 increased by over 30 percent. Furthermore, research shows that when people are under stress, they can become more violent. People who grew up witnessing violence at home or in their communities and people who may have a genetic liking for aggression, may acquire violent actions as a coping mechanism for stressful situations.
People’s everyday activities, such as how they lived their lives, were impacted by the pandemic and the shutdown of 2020. People did not attend school, jobs, training, or church. People found themselves with nothing to do at home.
The pandemic also caused a downturn in the economy, leaving local and state governments with less money to spend on social services that can keep individuals out of trouble. As a result of this combination of mental, financial, and physical stress, many people became violent toward others. Additionally, individuals were forced to take desperate measures to make ends meet, increasing murders.
#2. Diminished Public Trust In the Police
On May 25, 2020, a white police officer in Minnesota killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man. The video went viral on social media, sparking widespread protests against police brutality; as a result, it diminished people’s trust in the police. According to a study, after George Floyd’s killing, police activities reduced, and crime increased.
Police officers have slowed down in part because they do not want to be the next officer to be dragged through the media. Officers are afraid that if they stop someone for a legitimate reason and the situation escalates into a use-of-force incident, even if their actions were legal, they might end up on viral footage on the news and social media.
Furthermore, following George Floyd’s death, citizens grow hesitant to call the police to report crimes, afraid that involving the law enforcement agents may cause more harm than good. They worry that if they contact the cops, the cops will abuse the person or use excessive force on them. Consequently, keeping these criminal activities from the authorities means the crime rate will shoot up.
#3. The Proliferation of Guns
While many factors such as pandemic-related stress and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder may have contributed to the homicide surge, a significant increase in gun purchases in early 2020 resulted in more killings in the United States. Many of these guns end up in the hands of people who would not think twice before using them on others, leading to an increase in attempted and accomplished murders.
According to a report, two-thirds of gun buyers in the United States claim they bought the weapon to protect themselves and their families. However, in practically every aspect possible, owning a firearm makes the owner, their family, and the people around them less safe.
The guns that Americans buy to protect their families are the same weapons that could mistakenly discharge into a loved one out of anger or be stolen from their car by criminals, and used in robberies and murders. The increase in firearm possession can contribute to a surge in gun violence which increases the homicide rate.
Homicide Prevention Measures
Some measures can assist in reducing violent crimes like homicides. Some of these measures include:
#1. Gun Control
Gun use consequently increases the likelihood of violence, resulting in death. Possession of firearms without a license should be prohibited; states should register firearms and enforce unlicensed possession of guns as a crime. Also, they should mandate the completion of some conditions before issuing a gun license.
If any citizen wants to buy a handgun for self-defense, they should undergo a thorough background check and psychological evaluation to rule out any dangerous issues. For instance, firearm prohibitions for high-risk groups like domestic violence offenders, people convicted of violent misdemeanor offenses, and people with mental illnesses who might be threats to themselves or others; will go a long way toward reducing gun violence.
Furthermore, selling guns in specialized establishments, not at your neighborhood Walmart, will reduce gun access to everyone. Though a criminal may obtain a weapon illegally and individuals must protect themselves, it should not be easy for anyone to get one. If there is less gun circulation, the chances of one falling into the wrong hands will equally reduce.
#2. Police Reformation
Taking steps to reform the police is a big step toward reducing police brutality, which can lead to murder, as in the instance of George Floyd. As a result, lawmakers across the country have focused their reform efforts on ensuring greater transparency about police use of force and disciplinary records, prohibiting chokeholds, and making it easier to prosecute officers who commit violations.
Furthermore, police violence against black people, ranging from murders to violent, aggressive stops and searches, depicts racism in the United States. Thus, there is a need for initiatives to reform the police force to address racial disparities.
#3. Identifying Crime Root Causes
The financial health of a city has a substantial impact on violent crime. Many studies have revealed that cities with higher unemployment and poverty rates have higher violent crime rates. As a result, addressing the core causes of violence in any way will help reduce homicide.
However, the relationship between a place’s economy and rates of violence is bidirectional; cities can considerably reduce crime by improving economic opportunities within cities. For example, studies demonstrate that youth workforce development and employment initiatives, such as summer job programs, can lower youth violence by up to 35-45 percent. Therefore, city authorities and economic development advocates should invest more resources in youth programs and workforce development activities in crime-ridden areas.
Final Thought
One of the fundamental goals of every government should be to create a crime-free society. Thus, in a city where crime exists, the government should not hesitate to develop ways to reduce it. Studying the root causes of violence and taking actions to mitigate them will go a long way toward lowering violent crimes such as homicide.
Company name: Ruane Attorneys
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