Abstract
Crime can be defined as a deliberate act of going against the law, which attracts a penalty. Crime is, however, only associated with violent gun battles that characterize organized gangs and drug cartels, forgetting that there are other forms of crime like economic crimes, which include banking and internet fraud. In general, crime rates have been on the steady rise in America, especially in densely populated communities. Crime has also changed tact with time, from the random attacks and muggings of the early 1700s to the more organized and violent crime of the present-day society. There is a need, therefore, to study the history of crime in American society in order to establish clues that may help in controlling the rising crime rate in America.
Introduction
Crime is the intentional act of breaking a set of guidelines provided by the authorities in society to maintain law and order. Crime takes various forms, from petty offenses like street mugging to organized criminal groups like Mafias, as well as high-tech cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are particularly notorious, using the latest technology to hack into secured websites while, at the same time, hiding behind an anonymous mask of fictitious names and addresses. It is crucial, therefore, for intelligence agencies to study the origin of crime, what fuels it and the various techniques criminals have devised in order to disguise their activities from the law if they are to achieve any success in controlling the vice. This essay will, therefore, study the history of crime in American society.
The Early 1800s
The early 1800s were some of the most trying times in the history of America. These times saw increased rapes cases and violence especially against black people in society. Critchley (2009) observes that homicide and murder cases dominated the early 1800s, mostly due to violent interracial clashes among vigilantes. Sociologists and scholars alike attribute these to frustrations due to the harsh economic times during the great depression, although, poor partisan politics also played a role in fuelling the interracial animosity (Albanese, 2010).
Caucasian communities also admired the rugged lifestyle of cowboy gangs during the Wild West craze of the 1800s, and this lured young men into becoming rebel cowboys who waylaid and looted merchant caravans (Critchley, 2009). Attempts by law enforcers to publicly, whip, the offenders as punishment did not deter the criminals; instead, it fuelled their resilience in payback crime (Critchley, 2009).
The 1900s
Albanese (2010) states that the 1900s, also known as the middle ages, shifted slightly from the predominant rebellious cowboy gangs to more organized criminal groups. These groups later developed into cartels, dominating the lucrative drug trade especially across the American-Mexican border (Critchley, 2009). The need to protect drug interests in growing urban centers created a demand for Assassin Mafia groups, leading to their increase in numbers mainly for hire to protect the cartels. The authorities made efforts towards the mid-1900s, rounding up and imprisoning petty street gangs and criminals for rehabilitation. Later, penitentiaries released reformed convicts, and many joined the music industry to earn a legitimate living. However, instead of preaching peace, they upheld violence and the gangster attitude in their music, selling it as a masculine thing that served to promote the vice (Albanese, 2010).
Modern Crime
In his book, Albanese (2010) talks of the new form of crime in society; cybercrime. He explains how cybercriminals Phish for personal data on the internet and then masquerade as the legitimate owners, to defraud their victims and other online financial institutions of millions of money annually (Albanese, 2010). In addition to this, criminals are no longer evading the police; they have devised ways to infiltrate and corrupt intelligence agencies officials, and are now enjoying police protection.
Conclusion
Studies show that crime rates in American society are continuing to rise steadily, and criminals are consolidating into more organized groups. Deliberate measures need to be instigated at the economic, social, and political level in order to solve this menace early enough before it escalates into a full-blown disaster in the society.
References
David, Critchley. (2009). The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931. UK: Routledge Publication.
Jay, S. Albanese. (2010). Organized Crime in Our Times (6th Edition). UK: Elsevier Publication.