Crime problems are spread across the United States and vary based on several aspects. In particular, some factors associated with crime issues in the nation are how unlawful acts affect populations, whether offenses are common in distinct locations, and how much certain violations cost society (Worrall, 2018). For instance, misdeeds raise various levels of concern for different communities as some people are afraid of burglaries, while others dread the prospects of being murdered (Worrall, 2018). Therefore, crime problems alter and depend on how people perceive each offense. One can argue that the most serious crime issues in the US include burglaries, drug sales in unprivileged neighborhoods, rapes at parks, fights outside bars, and purse snatchings at subway stations (Worrall, 2018). The listed illegal acts appear to be quite widespread across the US, violate one’s privacy and safety and can worsen the living conditions in districts.
The criminal justice system enacts measures to control or prevent crime, although not all approaches are equally practical. For example, police departments have written and unwritten policies that describe how officers are to act during drug busts or reflect the chief of police’s beliefs on how policemen should behave during investigations (Worrall, 2018). Whether documented or not, both approaches are important to crime control, but their usefulness depends on each case (Worrall, 2018). The most effective policies include regular foot patrols, treatment programs for first-time drug delinquents, chemical castration for sex offenders, harsh sentences for repeat lawbreakers, and not dropping charges in domestic violence prosecutions (Worrall, 2018). Notably, except for the last one, all listed procedures can be applied to crime issues discussed above and seem practical in preventing law violations.
Furthermore, although the use of certain criminal justice policies is based on a specific situation, some approaches may not be quite useful. The least effective measures for crime prevention and control are enhanced supervision of probationers, targeting street racing, radar traps, tough sentences for crimes committed with guns, and the installation of home security systems (Worrall, 2018). Although the latter approach can be applied to previously reviewed crime problems, all of these procedures do not appear to have sufficient long-term outcomes.
Reference
Worrall, J. L. (2018). Crime control in America (4th ed.). Pearson Education.