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LONG LOOK AT CRIME

NCJ Number
18551
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 2-6
Author(s)
J Q WILSON
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
REMARKS ON THE NATURE OF PRESENT AND FUTURE CRIME RATES AND ON THE ROLE OF THE BIG CITY POLICE ADMINISTRATOR.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT SOCIAL INDICATORS POINT, IN THE SHORT RUN, TOWARD A CONTINUED INCREASE IN CRIME RATES DUE TO CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE YOUTH POPULATION, PRESSURES OF A COMBINATION OF URBANIZATION AND DEURBANIZATION, AND CONTINUED FAMILY WEAKNESS. IN THE LONG RUN, HE PREDICTS DECREASES IN CRIME EXPLAINED MAINLY BY THE DECLINE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUTH IN THE POPULATION. THE NEED TO REDESIGN POLICE ORGANIZATIONS AND OPERATIONS TO BETTER SERVE CRIME CONTROL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES IS IDENTIFIED AS THE DOMINANT ISSUE FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATORS IN THE 1970'S. ALSO DISCUSSED IS THE NEED FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE ITS STRATEGIES AS WELL AS CHALLENGE THE STRATEGIES OF OTHER PARTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.