NCJ Number
56035
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF CRIME AFFECTS EVERY CITIZEN, AS SHOWN IN THIS FILM STRIP AND AUDIOCASSETTEE PROGRAM FOR YOUNG STUDENTS.
Abstract
CRIME HAS AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON SOCIETY IN TERMS OF PERSONAL HARM TO VICTIMS AND IN IMMEDIATE MONETARY LOSSES. THE TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS OF CRIME MAY EXCEED $125 BILLION, OR ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL NATIONAL BUDGET. THE FBI REPORTS THAT THE RATE OF SERIOUS CRIME ROSE 180 PERCENT IN THE YEARS FROM 1969 TO 1975; THE CRIME RATE HAS SINCE FALLEN 9 PERCENT. HOWEVER, THESE STATISTICS FROM THE UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS ONLY INDICATE THE RATE OF REPORTED CRIMES. MOREOVER, THE FBI FIGURES DO NOT INDICATE THE NUMBER OF CRIMINALS, THE INJURIES CAUSED BY CRIME, OR THE TOTAL COST OF CRIME. THE FBI STATISTICS ALSO DO NOT MEASURE THE ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME, AS WELL AS THE CRIMES AGAINST BUSINESSES. BUSINESS CRIMES MAY INVOLVE VANDALISM, SHOPLIFTING, WORTHLESS CHECKS, AND COUNTERFEITING. ALTHOUGH 2 MILLION CASES OF SHOPLIFTING ARE REPORTED EACH YEAR, THE ACTUAL RATE COULD BE TWICE AS HIGH. IN ONE STUDY OF DEPARTMENT STORE THEFT, 42 OF 500 SHOPPERS PLACED UNDER RANDOM SURVEILLANCE SHOPLIFTED AN ITEM. WHITE COLLAR CRIMES BY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING INSURANCE FRAUD AND COMPUTER-RELATED CRIMES, PLACE A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON ALL PEOPLE BY INCREASING THE COST OF INSURANCE, RAISING THE PRICE OF CONSUMER GOODS, AND INCREASING TAXES TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE PROTECTION AND COURT COSTS. ANOTHER COST CONSIDERATION IS 'OPPORTUNITY COST' OR WHAT PEOPLE MUST GIVE UP IN CONSUMER EXPEDITURE IN ORDER TO PAY FOR SECURITY. INCREASED SECURITY AT SCHOOLS PREVENTS FUNDS FROM BEING SPENT ON EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS. REFERENCES ARE LISTED IN A DISCUSSION MANUAL.