NCJ Number
7319
Date Published
1968
Length
237 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF WHY THE NUMBER OF BANK ROBBERIES IS INCREASING IN THE FACE OF A VERY HIGH CAPTURE RATE AND VERY SEVERE SANCTIONS.
Abstract
BY FOCUSING ON THE ROBBERY, RATHER THAN THE ROBBER, AS THE PRIMARY UNIT OF ANALYSIS, THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE BANK ROBBER, THE BANK, AND THE MECHANISMS OF SOCIAL CONTROL ARE EXPLORED. IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH BANKS AND ROBBERS DEFINE THEIR SITUATIONS AS ONES IN WHICH EACH, FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BELIEVES HE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE BY COMMITTING A BANK ROBBERY OR BY BEING THE VICTIM OF A ROBBERY. BANKS RELY ON THE FORMAL AGENTS OF CONTROL ( THE POLICE AND THE COURTS) TO PREVENT AND CONTROL BANK ROBBERIES, WHILE THE POTENTIAL BANK ROBBER'S SITUATION RENDERS THE SAME CONTROL MECHANISMS INEFFECTIVE. THUS, BANK ROBBERS EXPLOIT THE WEAKNESS OF THE BANK WHICH, BECAUSE IT RELIES ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES FOR PROTECTION, BECOMES AN EASY VICTIM FOR THE BANK ROBBER. AS A CONSEQUENCE, BANKS, AS WELL AS OTHER CRIME VICTIMS, MUST PLAY MORE OF A ROLE AS AGENTS OF CONTROL AND MUST NOT RELY SOLELY ON THE FORMAL AGENTS OF CONTROL IF THEY HOPE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF BEING A VICTIM. APPENDICES INCLUDE QUESTIONNAIRES AND STATISTICAL TABLES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)