Exam 2: Theory and Policy in Context

Why are police agencies not required to participate in the UCR and NIBRS initiatives? What benefits would we see in the reporting of crime if police agencies were mandated to share this information through these programs?

During 1985-1994, adult homicide tripled.

Describe the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) (e.g., frequency of administration, sample, types of crimes examined). Does the NCVS contribute a substantial improvement in crime statistics compared to the UCR? What about the NIBRS?

Zimring estimates that policing efforts have had no more than ____% impact on crime rates.

Choose one of the following segments, a, b, or c. Using the chosen segment, compare and contrast the two explanations of the crime reduction experienced in the United States in the 1990s. Which one had a greater impact on the reduction in crime; why? a. Economy AND aging of baby boomers b. Lagged effect of Roe v. Wade AND reduction in crack epidemic c. Removal of led from gasoline AND police practices such as hot spots policing

Violent crime increased in the 2000-2010 period.

Theories help criminologists link trends in crime to policy.

New York City experienced a great reduction in criminal activity in the 1990s. Identify and describe two policing activities that Zimring attributes to this crime decline. Compare and contrast these policing activities to two non-policing explanations of the crime decline. Are policing activities or these other explanations responsible for more of the reduction? Define your position.

Criminogenic causes are those that:

____________________is a court ruling attributed to reductions in crime.