| Cases and Resources
Chapter
7: Crimes in America
The Nature
of Crimes
Gangs and Crime
Guns and the Law
Substance Abuse and Crime
Victims of Crime
Preventing and Reporting
Crime
The
Nature of Crimes
Why
People Commit Crime
The cause of crime is subject to frequent debate. It is hard
to know why some people commit crimes, while most do not.
Read this handout designed to help students identify possible
reasons for why people commit crime. Consider these theories
and the solutions offered for each theory. Decide which theories
make sense to you.
Social
Statistics Briefing Room
Read these statistics on crime published by the White House.
Which crimes have dropped in the past year? What types of
crimes are on the rise?
U.S.
Department of Justice
Read more statistics concerning crime and justice. Note the
trends in federal prosecutions and investigations, felony
convictions in state courts, and facts about correctional
institutions.
National
Criminal Justice Reference Service
This site directs you to all of the federal agencies and organizations
associated with criminal justice. Use this site to find the
latest news, publications, and information on federal criminal
justice issues.
National
Crime Prevention Council
Visit this virtual library on different types of crimes and
issues associated with crime. Explore crime prevention tips,
facts about crime, or statistical trends.
Organized
Crime Web Links
Read about the history of organized crime, the structure of
organized crime groups, and the tactics they use to accomplish
illegal activities. There are numerous articles on many types
of organized crime organizations.
Is
Your Town Safe?
Compare the crime statistics in your town to statistics in
other towns or the national average. How does your town measure
up?
Security
on Campus, Inc.
This site provides statistics and information about crime
and security issues on public and private college campuses.
Use the links to the campus police site of a school that you
are interested in learning more about.
Building
Blocks for Youth
Media coverage of crime can lead the public to believe that
crime is more rampant than it actually is in our society.
Read this article that explores how media reports can skew
our understanding of crime.
USDOJ:
Victims of Crime
Becoming a victim of any type of crime can leave a person
feeling violated and angry or afraid. There are organizations
that offer help and assistance to victims of crime. Learn
about some of these groups at the U.S. Department of Justice
Web site.
The
National Council on Crime and Delinquency
Examine the research and findings of the NCCD. What recommendations
does this group make to reduce crime?
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Gangs and
Crime
Why do young people join gangs?
Read this background information about why people join gangs from Focus Adolescent Services. What are some of the risk factors for joining a gang? What are some protective factors?
Gang Resistance Education and Training
The Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse provides information on
gangs as well as tips on how to diffuse gang activity.
Gang
Structure
Learn about the structure of gang organizations. What are
the different levels of membership in a gang, and what does
each level mean?
OJJDP:
Gang Membership
Read statistics published by the federal government on gang
membership and juvenile delinquent activity. How do gangs
affect a young person’s likelihood of committing a crime?
Gang
Prevention and Intervention
Use this site to learn about why kids join gangs and how to
intervene and prevent gang activity. Compare this site to
the recommendations and information from the other sites listed.
What do these sites agree on? Where do they differ?
Institute
for Intergovernmental Research
Browse through this extensive collection of articles and publications
on gangs and gang activity in the United States. The articles
come from an array of organizations.
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Guns and
the Law
National
Center for Policy Analysis
The right to bear arms and the effort to curb violence and
crime exacerbated by guns has led to an ongoing debate among
Americans. Explore some of the issues in the gun-control debate,
such as what rights the Constitution actually guarantees citizens
or if gun-control laws would really make a difference in crime
prevention.
Firearms
and Crime Statistics
Read these statistics published by the U.S. Department of
Justice. What conclusions can you draw about the role guns
play in criminal statistics?
The Brady Campaign
Learn about the gun control movement from the Brady Campaign.
Explore current news, ongoing legal action, federal and state
gun laws, information on your state’s legislation, the
voting records of legislators in gun-control issues, and definitions
of terms.
The
National Rifle Association
Learn about the anti-gun control movement from the NRA. Read
facts about guns and crimes, examine the NRA’s position
on legislation, and see which legislators the NRA supports.
TIME
Magazine on Gun Control
Review articles, statistics, and photographs at this comprehensive
archive of gun control issues and perspectives.
The
Brady Act
Read the text of the Brady Act, as well as the opinion
in Printz
v. U.S. that invalidated part of the
Brady Act.
The
Washington Post on Gun Control
Review the articles and information on this comprehensive
site published by The Washington Post on gun control
and the surrounding issues.
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Top
Substance
Abuse and Crime
Alcohol
and Drug Information
This site, maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, contains information and articles on alcohol
and drug abuse in the United States as well as publications
on substance abuse issues. Learn about prevention, facts,
research, and laws.
Alcohol
and Crime
Read this report explaining the statistical significance of
alcohol and crime. How large a role does alcohol play in the
commission of a crime?
Partnership
for a Drug-Free America
There are many resources directed at keeping America’s
youth free from substance abuse. Explore this site to learn
some strategies and recommendations to keep young people away
from harmful substances.
Mothers
Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Explore statistics on drunk driving, drunk driving legislation,
hot issues, current news, and community services for victims
of drunk driving.
Students
Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Like MADD, SADD is focused on substance abuse facts and information.
This organization focuses on students and how young people
can make a difference in changing the negative impact of drunk
driving and substance abuse in this country.
Trends
in Teenage Drug Use
Read this report on the trends in teenage drug use. What drugs
do young people tend to try? At what age are young people
experimenting with drugs?
The
Drug Legalization Debate
Analyze the different perspectives on how to handle the fight
against substance abuse. Some people believe that drugs should
be legalized, while others think drugs should remain illegal.
Examine these perspectives and decide which argument makes
the most sense to you.
U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
This site, hosted by the DEA, is designed for students. Read
the articles on different types of drugs, as well as steps
you can take to prevent drug use in your school.
Mandatory
Minimum Sentences: An Overview
One new tactic to deter and punish drug sales and use among
Americans is the use of mandatory minimum sentences. This
means that if you are caught participating in a drug trade,
a federal judge is forced by Congress to give you a specific
sentence, regardless of the circumstances.
NORML
The legalization of marijuana is sometimes separated from
the general debate on the legalization of drugs. Some want
marijuana legalized for medical purposes and others feel this
drug is not as harmful as other substances. Explore the arguments
on this site and decide if you agree.
DEA
Speaks Out Against Legalization
Now read the opinions of a federal agency entrenched in the
war on drugs. What arguments does the DEA offer in the opposition
of legalizing marijuana or other drugs? Is it true that marijuana
is not harmful?
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Victims
of Crime
Victims
of Crime by Gender
Review this table of crime victims by gender. Has crime risen
or dropped? Who is more likely to be a victim of crime—a
female or male?
USDOJ:
Children as Victims
Young people can be the victims of crime. Read this report
by the USDOJ on the statistical information of children as
crime victims.
The
National Center for Victims of Crime
Visit this site to find information, facts, and articles on
victims of crime and the support networks available for victims.
How can organizations and individuals help victims of crime
overcome the trauma? What are the characteristics of crime
victims?
Help
for Victims of Crime
The Department of Justice also offers resources and connections
to those that can assist victims of crimes. What groups exist
in your community for victim assistance?
Victim’s
Assistance and Compensation Programs
Many states now offer compensation to victims of crime in
the form of financial restitution. Identify the program in
your state that offers financial help to victims.
Victims’
Rights Amendment
Learn how specific states are offering rights to victims of
crime. Some seek to guarantee constitutional rights for victims
of crime. Is this a good idea? Read a viewpoint opposing
a victims’ rights amendment.
Healing Organizations
There are many organizations that offer support to victims
of specific types of crimes. Read the information provided
by groups for rape
victims, family and friends of murder
victims, robbery victims, and victims of hate
crimes.
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Top
Preventing
and Reporting Crime
Federal
Citizen Information Center
Part of successfully reporting crime is knowing where or to
whom to report. Browse through these federal agencies and
what types of crimes each agency handles.
National
Crime Prevention Council
Revisit this site to learn more ways to protect yourself and
your community from crime.
Good
Samaritan Laws
Read this article on Good Samaritan Laws and how such laws
might or might not change public behavior. Is there a Good
Samaritan Law in your state? How do you feel about passing
Good Samaritan Laws?
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