When it comes to weather related hazards, a major problem that my city often faces is that of tornadoes. Now fortunately, this is something that only happens in the spring time. However, when it does occur, major issues can occur. This not only relates to homes being destroyed, but sometimes, because of the tornadoes, there is also flooding too. The reason this happens, is because of the fire hydrants that burst from the impact that the tornadoes end up producing. Moreover, tornadoes can also cause massive gas leaks as well. Now, this all depends on how impactful and large the tornadoes are, but nevertheless, gas leaks can end up causing massive problems for a community. As too much inhalation of gas can cause gas poisoning.
Now, aside from these hazards that tornadoes end up producing, it is also necessary to see how crime rates may spring up from the constant spawn of tornadoes as well. This may also have to do with a relation to weather changes as well. As Jerpi (2013) states, “The spike in crime may be due to the increase in the number of interactions that people have with one another during the warmer months, although warmer temperatures alone may not be to blame for crime” (p.1). Some of the crimes rates that could occur are as follows: breaking into homes, stealing from stores, and motor vehicle theft risk. While they are three examples; they can be broken down too. It is not only important to look at how serious these kinds of crimes are, but it is also essential to look at ways in which each issue can be resolved.
When it comes to tornado crimes rates, there are those of higher authority, who are tasked within bringing peace and harmony back to a town that is now filled with a lot of disharmony. Now, within towns that need recovery, outlining how one is going to solve the crime issues is important. Doing so will bring social harmony back to the community. At the same time, though, it is also necessary to look at the crimes too. The first issue that can spawn from tornado outbreaks is stealing from the homes of other individuals. The reason this could happen, is because people are looking to recover items that were taken from them in the storm. For example; let’s say that an individual has lost all their possessions, since the tornado that hit, impacted them greater than other areas. However, let’s say that the individual also noticed that in another area of the city, there are those who have retained all their positions, since the impact of the storm was less. For reasons, such as this, they may attempt to steal from homes. Now, when these kinds of problem spawn, it is important that officers come in who know how to do their duty.
Let’s say that a mayor states that the need to bring crime down in poor neighborhoods needs to be carried out, because it is affecting business and property values. What would be essential about this, is that trained officers would know how to do their work would need to carry it out. This is a very necessary task to accomplish, as the officers need to know what kind of training and experience they need to have to be competent and efficient in the work field. Some of the training that could be included would involve be teaching subordinates how to respond on the field to tough situations, and teaching how to reduce crime and poverty. Furthermore, it would also be important to find out what months that the crime rates are the highest, not just in relation to tornadoes. As Burke (2013) states, “In a paper published in the journal science, 60 papers of the best studies of various topics were compared, and in a given population, levels of violence during periods of extreme climate showed a spike” (p.1).
Now, as for officers responding in the field, this can be easier said than done, but even in the hardest scenarios, officers need to learn how to respond professionally. For example; in areas that officers be assigned to which could involve crime and poverty, there may be disturbing or even traumatic incidents witnessed that include shooting of innocent bystanders to get to someone’s home. However, these officers would need to learn how to leave the emotional aspect out of the field, and discuss it after work or on break. Now, another aspect of training officers that I would implement, would be teaching them how to monitor suspicious areas in poverty stricken towns. This relates to those who may be tempted to steal from the homes of other individuals. Now, when it comes to crime rates due to tornado frequencies, something else that needs to be taken into consideration, is that an increase in store robberies could also occur from constant tornado outbreaks as well.
When it comes to tornado outbreaks, another issue that can occur, is that stores get broken into. With home break-ins, people want to take reclaim of the possessions that they once had. This may be one of the reasons why they decided to steal in the first place. However, when it comes to stealing from stores, this could be for multiple reasons. Aside from wanting to obtain items for oneself, people can also want to break into a store, because they are looking for food to eat. When tornadoes demolish homes, individuals are often left with a sense of feeling empty and devastated. Moreover, people often feel a sense of sadness. They know that they must face the reality, that they will not know where their next meal or drink will come from. In times of desperation such as these, individuals can resort to low levels, such as stealing from stores. Moreover, the people may not only be trying to provide for themselves, but it may also be for their children who may be suffering as well. Now, although losing everything is a serious situation, that does not excuse stealing. Furthermore, certain steps can be taken to prevent stealing from businesses in post tornado damage.
If a city is known to have a reputation for having items stolen after a tornado is damaged, then extra precautions need to be taken to prevent this from happening. For example; if there is suspicious activity being witnessed, the officers should not be afraid to ask questions, and furthermore, if an individual continues to act suspicious or guilty, the officer should ask the person to come in for questioning. If they refuse, then the individual should get arrested for insubordination. For officers that are new, this may be a task that is unnerving at first. However, as time goes on, these kinds of experiences become normal with training experience and putting that training to the test. Now lastly, another example of a crime that could stem from tornado damage is motorcycle looting.
Now, when it comes to motorcycle looting, this is something that is common, in relation to the after effects of tornados. One of the reasons why this may be common in some cities, is because individuals are looking for an efficient means of transportation. In other words, for that person, desperate times calls for desperate measures. Now, statistics show that after a tornado occurred in some cities, motorcycle looting increased over time. As “2012 Crime Rate Indexes for Kanawha, county, WV” says, when there was in increase in tornado outbreaks in 2012, West Virginia saw a spike in the risk of motor vehicle theft (p.1). Now, it is also important to look at what can be done to resolve this issue.
What is essential, is that officers who are monitoring this kind of activity have a strong mission statement and vision for the town, and it something that many officers should strive for. An example of a mission statement would be as follows; every officer should demonstrate their duties to protect and serve, and every citizen should feel safe under authority unless they are the perpetrator of a crime or proven guilty. The reason I chose this mission statement, is because as a Chief Police officer, I would like to expand upon the common ideals and mission statement that so many officers fail to abide by. Now, as for how this would address motorcycle looting, addressing hurting individuals to these mission statements, would help them to see a clearer picture, that there are people that are going to take care of them in their time of need. Now, another way to ease the tensions of those looting, would be addressing the need to fund money, to rebuild the own. This would help individuals to know, that even though they are currently enduring hard times, the pain is only temporary.
References
(2012). “2012 Crime Rate Indexes for Kanawha county, WV”. CLR Search. Retrieved from http://www.clrsearch.com/Tornado-Demographics/WV/Crime-Rate
Burke, M. (2013). “Weather and Violence”. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/opinion/sunday/weather-and-violence.html
Jerpi, L. (2013). “Legal and Criminal Issue”. The Spring Issue. Retrieved from http://source.southuniversity.edu/as-weather-warms-up-so-do-opportunities-for-crime-35072.aspx
