POLITICS OF STREET CRIME

• NCJ Number: 57034
• Journal: Crime and Social Justice Volume: 5 Dated: (SPRING-SUMMER 1976) Pages: 1-4
• Author(s): H SCHWENDINGER; G SHANK
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PARTS OF THIS ARTICLE WERE USED IN THE TESTIMONY OF HERMAN SCHWENDINGER AND PAUL TAKAGI BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME, FEBRUARY 19, 1976

Annotation

THE ISSUE OF STREET CRIME AS A MAJOR POLITICAL CONTROVERSY, THE DANGER OF CORPORATE CRIME TO SOCIAL ORDER, AND THE RELATION BETWEEN CRIME AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS DUE TO ADVANCED CAPITALISM ARE EXPLORED.

Abstract

IT IS COMMONLY BELIEVED THAT WORKING PEOPLE AND SMALL PROPERTY OWNERS ARE VICTIMIZED PRIMARILY BY STREET CRIME AND MEMBERS OF RACIAL MINORITIES. WHILE MANY VIOLENT CRIMES ARE COMMITTED BY THESE PERSONS, THEFT OF PROPERTY AND EARNINGS IN THE FORM OF UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, MISREPRESENTATION IN ADVERTISING, FRAUD, AND TRADE RESTRAINTS CANNOT BE SOLELY ATTRIBUTED TO THESE SAME PEOPLE. THE MAGNITUDE OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME INDICATES THAT SUCH CRIME IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN THE LOWER ECONOMIC CLASSES. CONVENTIONAL FORMS OF VIOLENCE SUCH AS MURDER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ARMED ROBBERY, AND RAPE AND TYPICAL PROPERTY OFFENSES SUCH AS THEFT, LARCENY, BURGLARY, AND ROBBERY ARE CONCENTRATED AMONG THE URBAN POOR, PARTICULARLY AMONG MARGINAL ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS. INCREASING RATES OF CRIME, VICTIMIZATION, AND IMPRISONMENT MUST BE VIEWED AS ONE ASPECT OF A TOTAL HISTORICAL PROCESS. ALONG WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF CRIMINAL LAWS AND THE CONTINUAL EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT, THESE RATES ARE INDICATORS OF INTENSIFYING CONTRADICTIONS AND DETERIORATING SOCIAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCED CAPITALISM. STREET CRIME IS PRIMARILY AN INTRACLASS PHENOMENON. IN OTHER WORDS, VICTIMS OF STREET CRIME ARE MOSTLY POOR AND WORKING PEOPLE. CONDITIONS OF CAPITALISM HAVE PRODUCED DETERIORATION IN A SEGMENT OF THE WORKING CLASS. THE MODERN SLUMS ARE PRODUCTS OF DECADES OF EXPLOITATION AND RACISM. FOR RESIDENTS OF MODERN SLUMS, THE STREETS HAVE BECOME THEIR SOCIAL REALITY. WHILE CRIME PREDATES CAPITALIST DEVELOPMENT, THE SYSTEMATIC REPRODUCTION OF EXPLOITATIVE SOCIAL RELATIONS, WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT, FLOURISHES UNDER ADVANCED CAPITALISM. THIS CONTRASTS WITH THE CONVENTIONAL LAW AND ORDER PHILOSOPHY. (DEP)