Strategy Paper
Introduction
In the United States, citizens are free to pursue happiness and prosperity as they see fit. However, in pursuit of their happiness and prosperity, they should make sure that they do not put the lives of other citizens in danger, destroy the property of other people or prevent other citizens from pursuing their happiness and prosperity. Apart from that, people are required to follow set guidelines by the government to ensure that there is peace and order in the country. It is important to note that one of the government’s main role is to ensure the safety of its citizens, their property, and their rights. The government ought to protect its citizens from both internal and external threats. The government should also note the crimes that are prevalent in the country and put in place measures to combat them and keep the citizens safe. As such, this report identifies two crimes currently in society. One is the toughest to deal with while the other is easy to deal with. The report also gives recommendations on how to combat these crimes and preserve the citizens’ lives, their property safe and their rights protected.
Homicide
According to Reckdenwald & Parker (2009), criminal homicide is classified as both murder and non-negligent manslaughter (manslaughter by negligence). This is the killing of one human being by another. It is important to note that justifiable homicide or manslaughter, which is caused by negligence, suicide, or attempts to murder are not included in this definition (Reckdenwald & Parker, 2009). One should note that people who take other citizen’s lives but did not intend for that to happen, usually face lower charges and less punishment. This is compared to people who wilfully kill others without a good reason.
The trends surrounding homicide are worrying. According to James (2018), homicide rates increased from 2014 (361.6 per 100,000 people) to 2015 (373.3 per 100,000 people). They also increased from 2015 to 2016 (386.3 per 100,000 people). In some of the largest cities in the United States, the homicide numbers increased from 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to 2016. What is most worrying about the statistics in these cities is that in these years, these numbers were the highest they have been in over 20 years (James, 2018). This increase in homicide cases has not only increased in large cities but also in small communities. However, homicide in small communities is not as prevalent compared to large cities. Homicides are very difficult crimes to deal with. This is because they are caused by circumstances that law enforcement officials cannot cope with or prevent. Homicides can happen under very trivial circumstances such as when people are having arguments or confrontations. Such homicides are never planned and occur in the heat of the moment. The access of guns and other deadly weapons in many states in the United States also helps in keeping homicide numbers high. However, it is important to note that this crime can be committed without any weapons hence making it even easier to commit and harder to prevent.
Plan to Address Crime
The measures that the government puts in place to combat homicide ought to be effective to reduce the cases. As such, the first measure that will be put in place is to increase the presence of police in the community. An increase in police presence will ensure that law enforcement officers’ response time to homicides is swift thus increases the chances of catching the perpetrators before they getaway. The punishment on homicide will be made even more severe. This will deter people who are thinking of committing the crime. Finally, investigating homicides will receive more funding and will involve the best people in the law different law enforcement agencies. This will increase the likelihood of catching these criminals. When cases that seemed impossible to solve are solved, homicides will decrease since people will realize the likelihood of being caught will be high. As such, there will be an increased investment in courses for law enforcement officers that will help increase police officers’ skills in solving homicides.
Theft and Shoplifting
Anderson & Kavanaugh (2009) define theft as illegally taking and possessing other people’s property or anything of value to permanently deprive someone of that item or the value of the item. On the other hand, shoplifting (larceny-theft) is categorized as a type of theft. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) (2008), larceny-theft is defined as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession of another person. Theft and shoplifting are two types of property crime. Retail stores and commercial businesses usually experience the bulk of theft and shoplifting crimes in the United States.
According to Anderson & Kavanaugh (2009), 10 million property crimes were reported to law enforcement authorities in 2006. These crimes cost losses of up to $ 17.6 billion. Larceny theft accounted for two-thirds of these crimes. Of these, shoplifting came in third. Interestingly, theft and shoplifting make up the largest portion of all criminal offenses committed in the United States (Anderson & Kavanaugh 2009). However, it is important to note that the rate of property crime has generally decreased. It is important to note that property crime is much lower in rural areas as compared to large cities. Nevertheless, such crimes are easy to prevent because of the nature in which they are carried out. Criminal perpetuate the crimes either when the store is open or when it is closed. When open, there are store employees to handle them. When the retail stores are closed, there are security systems put in place to deter the criminals away.
Plans to Address Crime
Although it is easy to prevent theft and shoplifting in retail stores, they still occur in large numbers. It is important to note that police can do very little to prevent these crimes. It is up to the retailer to put in place measures to prevent theft and shoplifting in their stores. However, local police will conduct training seminars for store personnel. The training will involve equipping the employees with skills that will enable them to spot potential shoplifters. The training will also include the necessary steps that they ought to take in case they observe a theft. To ensure that the retail store personnel is ever ready for such encounters, there will be review sessions conducted every three months. This will help identify which methods worked and which areas need improvement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crime in any society should neither be allowed nor tolerated. Instead, the government to play its role and ensure that it keeps its citizens and their property safe. Homicide, theft, and shoplifting are crimes that are prevalent in the United States. The government will do its duty in ensuring that they are reduced as much as possible. As such, the government has proposed a measure that will make this possible. For homicide, the government will increase police presence in the communities, pass strict penalties for offenders, and train police officers on ways of solving homicide cases. In the case of theft and shoplifting, the government will introduce programs that will equip retail store employees with skills to identify and stop shoplifters.
References
Parker, K. F., & Reckdenwald, A. (2009). Homicide. 21st Century Criminology: A Reference Handbook 21st Century Criminology: A Reference Handbook, 499–506. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412971997.n58
James, N. (2018). Recent Violent Crime Trends in the United States. Congressional Research Service.
Anderson, T. L., & Kavanaugh, P. R. (2009). Theft and Shoplifting. 21st Century Criminology: A Reference Handbook 21st Century Criminology: A Reference Handbook, 541–548. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412971997.n63
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2008).Uniform Crime Reports 2006. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.