NCJ Number
14323
Date Published
1974
Length
206 pages
Annotation
PORTRAYS ROOTLESSNESS, PERMISSIVENESS, MORAL RELATIVISM, THE MEDIA'S CONCENTRATION ON VIOLENCE, NARCOTICS, AND WELFARE'S NOURISHMENT OF DEPENDENCY AS CAUSES OF INNER CITY CRIME AND SUGGESTS APPROACHES FOR BRINGING CHANGE.
Abstract
ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION AND POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS CONSIDERED REMEDIABLE BY URBAN RENEWAL AND FEDERAL AID ARE DISPARAGED AS BEING MAJOR CAUSES OF CRIME IN METROPOLITAN AREAS. DAMAGING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL CONDITIONING DUE TO A LACK OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIFE TO NURTURE IDENTITY THROUGH THE USE OF CREATIVE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL IS DEEMED THE DEPRIVATION THAT MOST CONTRIBUTES TO VIOLENCE AND CRIME. LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND POLICE-CITIZEN ALLIANCES ARE URGED AS STRUCTURES FOR IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN LOCAL MILIEUS. ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS RAP AND ACTION ARE CITED AS EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT. ALONG WITH LOCAL CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS, MORE STRINGENT AND PREDICTABLE PUNISHMENTS FOR CRIME ARE URGED.