Violent crimes involve the use of threats and aggressive force on the victim. Such crimes entail violence as the main idea such as in murder and where it is the goal such as in robbery. When using weapons, such crimes are termed as violent, where in most cases except rape, male are the most venerable victims of violent crimes. Classification of violent crimes in criminology is not a well agreed concept as different legal terms and constitutions are used to define various crimes differently. In United States, there are over 53 jurisdictions into violent crimes and murder (Carey, 2001).
Murder refers to intended actions aimed at killing and cause lethal reactions. Such consequences include severe bodily harm since the offender knows the criticality of his actions to the life of the victim. For example if an offender pushed the victim over a cliff or high wall, the consequences of breaking the victims bones are clear and hence he is charged with murder. This shows disregard for human life. There are various classifications for murder in United States. First degree murder is outright, intentional and premeditated murder such as felony murder. Felony murder is largely used to refer to death occurring when committing serious felony such as kidnapping or robbery (Crowe, 2000).
Second degree murder refers is murder that is unintentional and unplanned. Third degree murder (voluntary manslaughter) is often called “Heat of Passion” murder. It occurs where the murder was unintentional and committed in a scenario that caused the offender to be mentally and emotionally unstable or disturbed. Together with second degree murder they are committed on the location where the offender and the victim meet. However, they differ in magnitude of the facts involved in the violence. If a party fight results into death, that is termed as second degree murder, while if the reason for the fight were infidelity that can be alleviated to voluntary manslaughter (Brantingham, 1981).
Sherman et al. (2003) points that, rape is a form of violent crime whose definition varies by state and by the legislations available. Rape includes non-consensual anal, oral or vaginal penetration by objects or body parts to the victim by the offender. This may be accompanied by threats, force, or taking for granted victims incapacitation or inability to consent. This can be from cognitive and mental disorders, intoxication (forced or self induced) or being a minor. Closely related to rape is sexual assault, which is includes various sexual behaviours excluding penetration forced upon the victim by threats, use of weapons, intimidation, and coercion.
Sexual assault includes but not limited to, unwilling touching of breasts, groin, genitals, voyeurism, exposure to pornography, and display of images which ought to be private in public (Sherman et al. 2003). Homicide refers to killing of a person by another person which is not at all times a crime such as in the police killing of a criminal or in self defence. Other forms of violent crimes include negligent homicide due to negligence such as in hospitals, battery (physical confrontation and contact with another person), and aggravated assault which involves extreme felony using a deadly weapon. Vehicular assault involves dangerous driving causing injuries to other people while spousal assault involves conflict between spouses.
Property Crime
Property crime refers to talking of property without threatening or forcing the victim. There are various crimes under property crime including, theft, larceny, burglary, shoplifting, arson and automobile theft. An individual is accused of burglary when he tries to enter or enters premises with thoughts of stealing or to cause damage. Domestic burglary refers to getting into inhabited places while non-domestic s into businesses. Most burglaries are forced using simple tools such a crowbar and screwdrivers intended to be used for opening doors and windows to access the inside of a building (Brantingham, 1981)
According to Carey (2001), often, buglers steal money and accessories that are easily portable such as electronic devices, mobile phones, and jewellery. Bigger items such as computers and television sets need transportation. Building site crime is not a common property crime but it is there. In the UK, £600million worth of construction equipment is stolen annually. Equipments and tools from mobile plants are also stolen, where 90% of the stolen goods are not recovered. Vandalism is the spiteful destruction of property (Sherman et al. 2003 Brantingham, 1981). Vandalism is done for out of seer mischievousness and jealousy or revenge. This includes acts such as breaking glasses on a window, overturning litter bins, stepping on flower gardens and scratching cars or defacement using graffiti.
Vehicle crime involves stealing a car or breaking in to steal some item such as radio or any item that can be viewed from outside the car. Business crime involves offensive activities committed by a business or against the business. Such offences can be directed to a single individual, business or numerous businesses. Such crimes include; fraud and forgery, harassment, commercial robbery, assault, theft by employees, violence towards employees, damage of business property, arson, vandalism and graffiti (Brantingham, 1981 & Carey, 2001).
Place of Occurrence
Burglars do not have a specific pattern which they follow. However, most burglary activities show the most take place during the night (32%) and during weekends (30%). Also, high burglaries on weekday mornings and afternoons can be attributed to owners being at school or at school. Burglary with the exception of the professional burglar depends on when the right opportunity to break comes. Buildings and houses next high crime areas, near transport hubs, sports grounds, and in areas where youth congregate are likely to be broken into. Houses that have been burgled before are likely to be broken in again (Sherman et al. 2003).
The vulnerability and security factors can promote or deter burglary. Weak points, cheap, and old areas, as opposed to visible security devices such as CCTV cameras and deadbolts promote burglary (Crowe, 2000). Vandalism mostly occurs in public transport systems such trains stations, bus shelters, parks, street lights, schools and public property. This is accelerated by alcoholism and sporting activities and contests. Graffiti is on road signs, walls, monuments, vehicles, pavements, and bridges. Vehicle theft mostly occurs in parking bays especially during early foggy mornings when cars is left with the engine running. Business crime occurs in the premises in normal business hours (Brantingham, 1981).
Crime Prevention and Community Measures
Crime prevention involves a number of programs and strategies which use well defined approaches specific to predict, explain, and control crimes factors favouring such crimes. The levels of crime vary from individual, family, community and specific areas. Personal crime prevention involves avoiding crimes by guiding other individuals towards activities less likely to be criminal. Community based crime prevention refers to changing cultural, physical and infrastructural aspects that promote delinquency, disorder and criminal activities. This includes community policing and neighbourhood watch and multi-disciplinary and comprehensive efforts engaging the people, and the local government (Carey, 2001).
Crime prevention involves two; crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), and crime prevention through social development (CPSD). CPSD involves people-oriented strategies which incorporate long-term activities, which seek the main cause of crime. It is concerned with stopping the young people and children from starting criminal activities while building strong protective foundations against such risks. Child neglect and abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment, teenage pregnancy and inadequate education are some of the factors focussed on. When a community is aiming at crime prevention, it is improving itself in sustainability and health (Hope & Shaw, 1988).
CPSD is aimed at helping forge responsible, resilient and healthy individuals in the society through promotion of community values of respect for people and their property. There are three levels of CPSD; 1) primary level concerned with global population programs such as healthcare and public education. Poor prenatal care such as mother’s use of alcohol and poor nutrition causes fetal alcohol syndrome and low birth weight which makes a child have cognitive and physical growth complications. Such complications and lack of warm care makes children susceptible criminal tendencies. 2) Secondary level where crime is aimed at high risk criminal activity programs. This includes youths leaving school, as well as parenting programs for parents with high crime risk (Crowe, 2000).
3) Tertiary level supervision and rehabilitation programs for offenders aimed at re-offending crime prevention. CPTED involves place-oriented strategies concerned with things and places targeted by criminals. Designing the environment properly is a good way of reducing chances of crime occurrence while improving the life of the residents. The main point of CSPD is that crime is context and opportunity based. Poorly designed and planned areas promote and facilitate criminal behaviors and activities (Crowe, 2000).
There are 4 designs in CPTED; 1) natural access control, which naturally seeks to maximally control and watch over people by directing and influencing their flow and movement. Examples include traffic calming, lighting systems, and interior and exterior design of the building. 2) Natural surveillance is concerned with the increase visibility and enhances observation and monitoring of actions around people such as an open parking lot visible from the office. 3) Territoriality involves marking ownership of space which makes it hard for offenders to trespass. 4) Maintenance, improving, and managing of the surrounding environment is also important. It includes collecting litter, trimming hedges, repair of out of operation lighting and replacement of worn out locks (Hope & Shaw, 1988).
References
Brantingham, P. & Brantingham, P. (1981). Environmental Criminology. Waveland Press
Carey, G. (2001). "Crime and Urban Design", Irish Criminal Law Journal, 11/3, 9
Crowe, T. (2000). Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. London: Butterworth- Heinemann.
Hope, T. & Shaw, M.(1988). Communities and Crime Reduction. London: HMSO
Sherman, L. W., Farrington, D., Welsh, B.C. & Mackenzie, D.L (2003) Evidence-Based Crime Prevention. London: Routledge
