Crime has been a problem for many societies around the world. Particularly, in the 1980s towards the mid1990s societies witnessed horrific criminal activities. As a result, the community remained with the memories of these difficult periods. It has been claimed that the rates of crime in the United States have recently reduced and it would be expected that people would feel safer. Sadly, it has not been the case as a significant portion of the society has developed a fear of crime that could be worse than the crime itself. It may also be observed that recent measures undertaken by the criminal justice have done little to solve the issue.
McEntire (2018) examines how people relate past experiences with crime in the attempt to understand how small cues could enhance anxiety among people. Before exploring this concept, it is critical to understand that McEntire (2018) argues that the media could be a catalyst for fear. For example, McEntire (2018) claims people may get information about criminal activities on the news and immediately develop anxiety. They become afraid of walking out alone or using specific regions of their locality that are linked to the crime. Notably, after the September 11 terrorist activities, most non-Muslim Americans developed Islamaphobia. Also, most American became afraid of taking flights. The perception of fear may exaggerate the actual crimes occurring in society.
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"Is the Fear of Crime Worse than Crime Itself".
Robert and Zauberman (2017) conducted a study on the feelings of insecurity and the fear of crime under the context of France. In their research, they examine a significant aspect that McEntire (2018) explores, which notes how environmental factors can influence fear. According to Robert and Zauberman (2017), the fear experienced by people varies according to the neighborhood dynamics. Emphasis on this perception is evident in McEntire’s (2018) observation of people’s reactions to some regions of society. For example, it was noted that people were more likely to be afraid of residing in neighborhoods with graffiti. Also, activities that occur around local places like panhandling and public drinking caused fear among some people (McEntire, 2018). Robert and Zauberman (2017) note how people develop fear when they come across deserted train stations.
The criminal justice system is responsible for the preservation of safety for the citizens of a nation. It uses institutions such as law enforcement units, courts, and defense or prosecution lawyers. The fear experienced by societies as a result of their relation to a crime is a crucial element considered during the development of criminal justice policies. Research within the criminal justice domain strives to explore why fear persists in society despite the existence of crime prevention and intervention policies. Some states such as New York experienced an increase in police patrol units, which have caused a significant decrease in criminal activities. However, it is uncertain whether the locals of this region feel safe in the city’s public environments. It is evident that the criminal justice policy focuses mostly on the prevention of illegal activities with little exploration of the effects this has on the community.
Saunders (2018) claims that criminal activities have faded in major cities, but the rising problem has become fear and mistrust among neighbors. In his argument, Saunders (2018) observes some of the measures the criminal justice system engaged in its efforts to reduce crime. For example, there was the introduction of the community-focused policing techniques (Saunders, 2018). The result of this option was the police spending much of their time focusing on petty crimes. The aim was to stop these petty crimes from escalating into significant offenses. However, Saunders (2018) argues that it led to the police searching young men and checking their identifications. The most targeted groups were from the minority populations. Saunders (2018) claims the method was implemented in New York and identified as the Broken Windows.
McEntire (2018) and Saunders (2018) agree that the presence of the police helps reduce crimes and enhance confidence among members of a given location. However, in regions such as New York, the consistent search and seizure by the police in the name of stopping potential crimes only increases community mistrust with law enforcement measures. Also, the idea of the police searching young men of a minority population has not been received well by the members of these minority groups. The results of this are apparent such as the recent demonstrations against police brutality. The minority groups, for instance, African Americans, argue that their young men have become police targets. Moreover, Saunders (2018) explains that such an experience leads to the development of mistrust among neighbors that is driven by fear. Communities have been divided, and there has been an increase in segregation and inequality, which has only but promoted injustice (Saunders, 2018).
Perhaps, policing is not the best idea as these authors examine since it has only made the situation worse. There have been recommendations for improving security and reducing fear without necessarily using the police. Some of the alternatives involve using security cameras or security guards. If necessary, both can be implemented to improve transparency, consequently, improving collaboration between law enforcement units and communities. Individuals within a community may also play a role in overcoming their fear through community volunteer patrols. The use of such measures will bring people together replacing mistrust with the confidence of each member’s role in their safety. It ought to be noted that the unification of a society is the most significant element in the effort to reduce fear among people. It is only in a community of trusted neighbors that persons will feel safe in their homes.
- McEntire, A. (2018). Fear Itself: Understanding why we’re afraid of crime. Utah State University. Retrieved from http://rgs.usu.edu/blog/fear-itself-understanding-why-were-afraid-of-crime-2/
- Saunders, D. (2018). Violent crime has faded in our cities, replaced by fear and distrust. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-violent-crime-has-faded-in-our-cities-replaced-by-fear-and-distrust/
- Robert, P., & Zauberman, R. (2017). Feelings of insecurity and fear of crime: Dimensions and trends. Penal Issues, pp. 2-4.
