Personal Crime Analysis free essay sample

Boston is a large city which is located in Massachusetts. The estimated population of Boston in July of 2008 was 645,169 (City Data, 2011). Crime within the city of Boston has over the years been steadily declining. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Crime Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Though most major crimes in the FBI crime index have shown small percentages of decline from previous years, there are some areas of crime such as burglary that have shown an increase over the years. As the population of Boston increases it is essential that the levels of crime within the city are analyzed to reduce the levels of criminal activity while providing a safe community for citizens to reside in. Boston Crime Analysis Amanda McGuire CJA 354 Criminal Law January 23, 2012 Boston Crime Analysis Boston is a large city which is located in Massachusetts. The estimated population of Boston in July of 2008 was 645,169 (City Data, 2011). Crime within the city of Boston has over the years been steadily declining. Though most major crimes in the FBI crime index have shown small percentages of decline from previous years, there are some areas of crime such as burglary that have shown an increase over the years. As the population of Boston increases it is essential that the levels of crime within the city are analyzed to reduce the levels of criminal activity while providing a safe community for citizens to reside in. Homicide For the large population of Boston the murder rate has been effectively addressed due to the continued decrease in the number of murders and arrest rates. In 2006 there were 75 murders in Boston which has been reduced down to 50 in the year 2009 with the downside of only half of these murders resulting in an arrest (City Data 2011). Boston has recognized a trend in murders being gang related and have since increased their efforts in targeting gangs to further reduce the number of homicides (McKee, 2010). Rape Over the years the crime statistics pertaining to rape cases have been continually declining. The number of rape cases is estimated to be more than double what is reported each year based on the fact that many rape cases go unreported due to embarrassment, fear, or the belief that the victim brought this act upon themselves (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network, 2009). According to the Boston Police Department, in 2009 the number of rape cases reported total was 269 while only 12 arrests were made based on these 269 reports. Recently in Boston, a teenage boy was convicted of raping two young boys aged 5 and 7 (Morse, 2011). Due to the large emotional strain put on these two young boys the parents did not allow the children to testify against the accused and the teenage boy walks free (Morse, 2011). Robbery The robberies in Boston have been showing a decrease compared to 2007 when robberies were down to 2,242 (Boston Police Department, 2011). The current rate of robberies is at 2300 which is a large increase between 2007 and 2009. There has been a large string of robberies in Boston which the police have been attempting to solve. Within one month in Boston had experienced three bank robberies and one store robbery, all suspected to be committed by the same individual (Scripps TV, 2010). Aggravated Assault The Boston definition of aggravated assault is not defined by the FBI. The FBI describes the aggravated assault as â€Å"an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily njury† though this assault is often accompanied by a weapon or means that can result in death or great harm; there is not a need for injury to be present from the weapon (Patton, 2008). Boston requires the accused to be in a rage due to the victim who tempted the accused to the point where the accused is expected to use deadly force and knowingly attack the victim (Patton, 2008). So although the rate of aggravated assault has been declining over the course of the last four years it is possible that the number of assaults according to FBI standards is higher. Burglary Of all the major crimes being committed, burglary is the one crime that has not seen a large decrease in reports over the years. While the crime rates have remained relatively similar the steps being taken to reduce the number of burglaries within Boston have seem to be working. In 2006 the yearly total of burglaries was down to 4121 yet over the course of three years the burglary crime rate has decreased to a total of 2955 burglaries in 2009 (City of Boston 2011) . The Boston burglaries have decreased even though individuals are getting to the point where they are robbing Churches. Larceny Larceny is the largest crime reported in Boston. Throughout the city in 2009 there were 17,069 reports of larceny, and possibly many more that have gone unnoticed or unreported. This is a decline from previous years where reports neared 16000 (Boston Police Department, 2011). Larceny is a large crime in Boston and results in many trusting individuals being accused. Within Boston there have been Priests that have been found guilty of larceny totaling $500,000 from the Churches. Larceny is a crime within Boston that requires additional police involvement (Hearst Television, 2010). Vehicle Theft Vehicle theft in Boston has been declining due to the Boston Police Departments increased involvement in vehicle theft. In 2006 the vehicle thefts in Boston totaled 4076 (Boston Police Department, 2011). Each year since 2006 there has been an approximate decline of 1,000 vehicle theft reports each year. The 2009 vehicle theft reports only totaled 2287 (Boston Police Department, 2011). The Boston Police Department have continued their efforts to reduce the number of vehicle thefts in Boston and in 2009 made large accomplishments. Boston Police uncovered a car shop that was participating as a chop shop, repainting stolen vehicles, changing vehicle identification numbers, and selling these stolen vehicles to customers who were unaware that they were purchasing stolen vehicles (Newport Television, 2010). Jail Overcrowding As the economy declines, the temptation for crime increases as the funding for government offices decreases. Due to a lack in funding, Boston has seen budget cuts that are forcing the closure of jails and the transfer or early release of inmates (Hearst Television, 2011). As more inmates are being transferred to jails that are already at full capacity the overcrowding becomes a large problem for the city. Though most jails in the area are at full capacity there is one that has beds still available yet cannot fill their beds due to a state law restricting the jail from housing inmates with serious felonies (Hearst Television, 2011). The criminal justice system of Boston cannot afford to house the inmates due to budget cuts and overpopulation yet the citizens of Boston cannot afford to live among criminals who have not served their full amount of time due to overcrowding. Conclusion Though the crime rates in Boston, Massachusetts have been slightly decreasing over the years there is still a need for improvement by the police department to address areas of crime trends that have yet to be resolved. The increased numbers of burglaries within Boston and the large number of larceny cases should prove to be areas of concern for the Boston Police Department to address. Overall, the analysis of the Boston Criminal Justice System shows many areas of the crime statistics to be declining with increased police involvement. The jail system of Boston has experienced some levels of overpopulation which can be resolved through loosening the laws and restrictions on jails within the area that have large areas of free space available.