Question-2

ORGINIAL QUESTION: The perception of crime victimization

It is quite common for the fear of crime to greatly exceed individuals' actual risk of victimization. Why do you think fear of crime is so rampant, even during times that actual crime rates have dropped significantly?

ANSWER: It is quite common for the fear of crime to greatly exceed individuals' actual risk of victimization. Why do you think fear of crime is so rampant, even during times that actual crime rates have dropped significantly?

Crime is a total violation of law, Crime cannot be measured by an individual’s capacity therefore people tend to fear for crime to occur when they are no alert. People who have experienced crime before will have fear for crime. Areas in which are much vulnerable to crime people living there always live in fear even during when the time crime has gone down. (Lott, 2010).

It is believed that old people fear crime than young people this is because they know victimization that comes with crime, women too have fear of crime compared to men they are at risk of victimization when get affected by the crime. Personal experience of crime will create fear even if the rate of crime goes down. Media updates on crime from other places triggers people’s idea about the crime which intern makes people live in fear of crime. (Siegel, 2013).

Crime comes with loss of life and property therefore the fear of crime cannot completely reduce because people fear to become victim crime. Mistrust with security agencies can cause the fear of crime among many people; this lack of confidence with security forces will not reduce the fear of crime even if it has dropped.

Lack of quick response to crime scene by security personnel will greatly affect people’s perception about crime and this will really increase the fear of crime at greater length. With effective judicial process to handle crime and convenient equipment for combating crime, people will feel secure and this might reduce the fear of crime.

References:

Lott, J. R. (2010). More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Siegel, L. J. (2013). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

REPLY FROM PROFESSOR: Very true.  Personal experience and media coverage certainly factor into our fear of crime. I would also suggest that the place where crimes are occurring today is another factor--our homes, schools, stores, etc.  We used to think of violent crime as more of an urban problem but we see it everywhere today.  Our fear is heightened regardless of what the data say because we see these crimes all over the media. What do you think about how the media covers these events.  The media is a means to information--is there a way to provide this information without creating public panic?

ANSWER: ?

** 4-5 SENTENCES RESPONDING BACK. APA STYLE.