aml1205 16 | 1
Jun 23, 2011 | #1
Crime Research Paper
Executive summary:
This paper makes mention of some of the most common crimes in Canada and highlights the cities where these crimes are concentrated. The paper then zeroes in on the most common crime of homicide and discusses the reasons that contribute to the high homicide rate. Next, the paper will discuss some possible measures which squarely address the contributing factors to the high homicide rate. Lastly, the paper will explain why these measures were suggested and what kind of effects are predicted.
Introduction:
Canadian culture is marked by equality and respect for other people regardless of gender, race, religion or cultural background (Canadian Culture). However, this paper will indicate that, just like any other nation, Canada has its share of crimes.Research results
A 2006 consensus revealed the following crime rates for 4 of the major crime indicators. For the crime of homicide, Nunavut topped the list at a crime rate of 6.5 per population of 100,000; followed by Saskatchewan at 4.3; Manitoba at 3.3; Alberta at 2.8; and British Columbia at 2.5.
For the crime of level 1 to 3 assault, Nunavut is again on top of the list with a crime rate of 5,893 per 100,000 population; followed by the Northwestern territories at 5, 834; Yukon at 2,655; Saskatchewan at 1,671; and Manitoba at 1,243. For robbery, Manitoba is at number 1 with a crime rate of 182
per 100,000 population; followed by Saskatchewan at 150; British Columbia makes it to the list at 110; followed by Alberta at 93; and Quebec at 91.
For breaking and entering, the Northwestern territories are number 1 with a crime rate of 2,332 per 100,000 population; Nunavut is at number 2 with 1,965; British Columbia at number 3 with 1,088; at number 4 is Manitoba with 1,074; and Quebec at number 5 with 867(Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia).
While no formal consensus was available for the other years, newspaper articles indicate that in 2003, Saskatchewan had the highest homicide rate (Munroe, 2003). By 2009, Manitoba had the highest homicide rate. Other developments in 2009 came to show that the crime severity index or CSI (a measure of the seriousness of police-reported crime) of Saskatchewan was reported as the highest followed by Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta.
Given the above data, it seems there are at least 5 cities rating high in the crime list. Nunavut ranks high in the crimes of homicide, assault, breaking and entering. Saskatchewan ranks high in homicide, assault and robbery. Manitoba ranks high in robbery, homicide, breaking and entering.
British Columbia ranks high in homicide, robbery, breaking and entering. While Alberta seems to rank low in other crimes, it has its prominent share of homicide and robbery. Given that homicide seems to be the most common crime committed in these cities of crime, this paper will attempt to address this issue by offering some possible solutions to avoid the commission of this crime. This paper will also attempt to device a strategy by which the success of these solutions may be measured.
Before addressing any problem, there is a need to look at the possible reasons for its existence. Why does the homicide rate exist and what is fuelling its existence? In order to answer this question, it is worth looking into the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia which finds itself on the number 1 spot for
having the most homicides per capita in 2009. Abbotsford's high murder rate is likely due to its popularity with gang leaders who have been engaged in a murderous turf war in recent years. Other realities suspected of playing a role in the high homicide rates reported is the attention given by the authorities to the wrong targets.
A report has shown that despite decades of mandatory handgun registration, the use of handguns to commit homicide has increased from 27% in 1974 to 66% in 2002. 2/3 of the accused for murder had a criminal record, while 73% of the 2/3 had been previously convicted (Breitkreuz).
Another interesting fact that may contribute to the homicide rates is that aboriginals, who make up 3% of the Canadian population, accounted for 21% of those accused of homicide. And yet, police have been internally instructed to no longer collect information on the aboriginal status of accused.
Other contributing factors on record: 68% of accused were on alcohol, drugs or both at the time of the offense. Lastly, 13% of the accused were mentally ill (Breitkreu).
Crime prevention strategy
A crime prevention strategy for homicide needs to take the above facts into consideration. First, there is a need to tighten gun sales to gang members. The sellers should be held liable with the users of unregistered guns incase the object of their sale is used for homicide. Second, repeat offenders should not be out on the streets. There needs to be a no-bail policy to make sure repeat offenders are not given another opportunity to commit the same crime. Third, it's baffling to learn that aboriginals contribute to the crime but are not being accounted for it. The 'internal policy' allowing this, needs to go.
Drug and alcohol addiction has also been shown to contribute overwhelmingly to the homicide rate. On this note, the government needs to step up its rehabilitation program and make sure that the people who pose a danger to the society should remain confined.
Lastly, there's the mentally ill who contribute a small but nevertheless visible portion to the homicide rate. People like this should not be out on the streets and the government needs to either guarantee their confinement to a psychiatric ward or hold their guardians liable for their actions.
Now, the question is: will these measures be effective? Let's see: if guns serve as a weapon to commit homicide, restricting its access will make it more difficult to commit the crime. If the criminals who commit the crimes are locked up and religiously guarded by authorities, they cannot roam the streets
to commit more crimes. Same goes for the drug addicts, the alcoholics and the mentally challenged.
If the police will thoroughly keep records on the people committing crimes, it will be easier to prosecute these people and keep them in jail. Of course, these are just predictions. Only time will tell if these measures will actually bring down the homicide rate.
Conclusion:
This paper zeroes in on the crime of homicide but, as the research has indicated, this is not the only widespread crime in Canada. There are many more property crimes, counterfeiting crimes, and more serious assaults that take place around the country. This research has also discovered that the regulations
on running after criminals need a makeover. The law needs to tighten its grip on erring residents if not citizens. Lastly, the authorities need to realize that they play an important role in preventing these crimes by not allowing the criminals to roam free.
References:
Abbotsford, B.C. is Canada's murder capital, again. (2010).
Breitkreuz, G. (2003). StatsCan Homicide Report Shows Right and Wrong Targets for Saving Lives.
Canadian Culture (n.d.)
Munroe, S. (n.d.). Canadian Crime Rates for 2003.
Police Reported Crime Statistics. (2009).
Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. (2007).