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Who is responsible in a community for the increase or decrease of crime in a given neighborhood?

By Treyvon Poole, 14 years old                                                                              Chicago, IL 

The crime rate in a neighborhood is not just an outcome of resident behavior but also how politicians set police priorities and the roles parents play. Every faction contributes to either increasing or decreasing crime rates.

Politicians are crucial in deciding policies and resources that foster or hinder community safety. They enact legislation and allocate funds for education, welfare, healthcare, and law enforcement. Effective politicians introduce crime prevention policies, such as grants for after-school programs and public works. For instance, a mayor securing grants for youth centers can create safe havens for kids, reducing criminal activity. Conversely, disinvestment in schools and policing leads to under-resourced institutions where crime prospers.

Police represent order and deter crime within the community. Community policing, where officers build relationships with residents, can drastically reduce crime if citizens trust them as allies. Neighborhoods where police engage with local youth through mentorship programs typically see lower crime rates since young people are less inclined to join gangs or commit crimes. However, if police misbehave or act corruptly, it erodes trust, leading to underreporting of crimes and higher crime rates.

Parents significantly influence their children's behavior and, consequently, community crime rates. Active parental involvement, especially in school activities, steers children away from delinquent behaviors. For example, neighborhoods where parents organize community watches or work together on safe child-rearing practices often experience lower crime rates. Conversely, low parental supervision and involvement can result in higher juvenile crime due to a lack of guidance and positive role models.

In conclusion, while politicians, police, and parents all play critical roles in influencing neighborhood crime rates, their collective actions and the quality of their engagement with the community determine whether a safe environment flourishes or criminal activity proliferates..