Origin of crime

Rural crime continues to rise in America.

In fact in 2018 the violent crime rate in rural areas climbed above the national average for the first time in 10 years.

With the recent multiple shootings and violent crime we’ve experienced the increase in our area.

Before we begin to explore prevention tactics, we need to understand the origins of these crimes.

Why do people commit crimes?

I’ve done quite a bit of research lately on the subject and the majority of reasons are all too familiar.

I’ve picked out a few that I believe affect our local communities.

Drugs.

An addict will eventually do something they aren’t supposed to do. A majority of violent criminals will blame drugs for their behaviors.

Family is a contributing factor, as in, the lack thereof.

Dysfunctional families and lack of parenting are prevalent within the criminal society.

Unemployment.

It’s on the top ten list of every crime study I’ve looked at.

Peer pressure.

It’s popping up more and more in conversations regarding crime prevention. I believe this circles back to the family issue as well. I believe they are connected.

When a young, impressionable child does not have a strong healthy family unit, they are more susceptible to the lure of gangs and drug dealers who step in and fill that vitally important role.

At the top of every list is poverty.

Many studies cite economic deprivation as the major instigator for crime.

Where poverty is rampant, it is common for people to engage in criminal acts.

There were many more, such as, shortage of police and lack of resources.

As cliché as all these causes are, I believe they are the roots of the crime problem in our area.

In future columns I’ll explore how other rural communities are curbing crime.

I’ll give you a preview of two of the biggest deterrents that I’ve discovered thus far.

Investment in our youth and community involvement.

No surprise really.

It breaks down to communities taking responsibility and becoming vested in their neighborhoods.

From what I’ve discovered so far, it takes a lot of work, a change in thinking, and a great deal of determination.

However, it can be done.

Coming soon I’ll share what measures a small town in Wisconsin implemented to turn their city around and lowered their crime rates.

See you out there.