Posted: 9/5/2007 2:58:06 PM EDT
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I am a prospective LEO and will be testing for the academy in a few months, but I need some help for my criminal Justice class. You can answer these as detailed or as brief as you want. However, I do need a name for the assignment (first, last or both) and department. I appreciate this very much. a. How can a person's fear of crime be detrimental to his or her well being? Can it make someone more likely to be victimized? b. Does fear of crime seem to be contagious among citizens? c. What types of things seem to trigger a fear of crime? Are they usually valid? d. How can a fear of crime end up being detrimental to a community? e. What can people do to replace their fear of crime with something more constructive? |
+1 You might want to talk to someone in the Psych department at school regarding phobias or PTSD. They may actually be more helpful getting into the "heads" of crime victims. Most LEOs don't dwell too much on their community's collective thoughts or fears. |
+1 Most people live in a bubble. Plain and simple. As tc said, most people think it can't happen to them, and some are right. It won't happen to them. I don't think it is the fear of crime that is detrimental, but the lack there of. |
+1 
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First I am with the "people live in a bubble" crowd. However, it appears you are writing a paper so here goes. a: Any fear, rational or not is a stressor. The effects of stress are well document and not normally good for ones physical and mental well being. When the fear become irrational the effects are multipled. b: Among a flock of sheep, one man is a majority. With notable exceptions, people are sheep. If your neighbor starts freaking out about some B & E's in the area you will look extra careful too. c: Fear is normally triggered when something happens. A string on B&E's, maybe a stranger rape or whatever. Unless you model tinfoil hats, only some legit will trigger the fear. It is the lack of fear of crime that is not valid. Ask any beat cop, things are much worse than the typical sheep thinks. d: Depends on the crimes involved. It can be good, as in people start locking up and watching for suspicious activity, think B&E string to horrible, think people staying home when a serial killer is running loose. e: I'm not sure that is something that can happen without a serious personality overhaul. Lions don't pick the fat, old, injured or young Zebra by accident. Criminals don't pick their targets on accident either. Elsewhere in another thread it was mentioned about police looking professional and sharp. During that a comment was made that if an officer portrays a confident, I will kick you ass if you make me attitude they are involved in less use of force incidents. Same goes for civilians. If you don't look like a mark, I (criminal) will target the next guy. Own a dog, I have had more B&E crews tell me they avoid dogs to ever be without one. Welcome aboard. Joe |