Poverty & Crime: The Correlation Pt. 1

A study done my McClatchy Newspapers found that the percentage of poor Americans who are living in extreme poverty has reached a 32-year high. Nearly 16 million Americans live in "deep or severe poverty."

The connection between poverty and crime has been an ongoing debate for many years. Many scholars argue that the poverty rate has nothing to do with crime rate because of all the extremely poor countries that have relatively low crime rates. I, however, believe that it is hard to deny the connection between poverty and crime in our country. An overwhelming 53% of prisoners earned less than $10,000 per year before incarceration.

Sociologists and criminal justice scholars have found a direct correlation. One theory assumes that the consequences of a crime are weighed. Sometimes the outcome could be better than not committing the crime.. at least in their eyes. This theory proves that people in poverty are more likely to commit crimes such as burglary, larceny, or theft.

What do you believe??

info from capaassociation.org

Travelling Around Crime Pt.2

Again, here are more city rates. However, these are the cities and small towns that you'd probably rather steer clear of. I know I would! 


The worst, big cities for crime are:

1. Tucson, AZ - some of the highest property rates, especially larceny, claim this area. However, the murder rates are low.
2. Memphis, TN-AR-MS - here is the nation's second highest crime rate, especially with robbery and assault. Again, though, the murder rate is low.
3. Miami, FL - Miami's crime rate is the highest in the nation, again with robbery and assault. The murder rate is low.
4. Phoenix-Mesa, AZ - this area has the highest auto crime rate in the nation.
5. Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR - here, is the highest rate of property crime, especially larceny.

The worst, medium cities for crime are:

1. Myrtle Beach, SC - this area has the highest rate of crime in the nation due to a high rate of violent and property crime. The rates of assaults, burglary, and larceny are particularly high.
2. Montgomery, AL - the murder rate here is significantly high, as if the rates of robbery, burglary, and larceny.
3. Laredo, TX - while larceny rates are high, the rates of murder and forcible rape are significantly low.
4. Waco, TX - here burglary and larceny are the problem. Like Laredo, the rates of murder and rape are low.
5. Wilmington, NC - here, is the second-highest rate of burglary in the country. However, the rates of forcible rape and assaults are low.

The worst, small cities for crimes are:

1. Topeka, KS - Topeka has the highest rate of property crime among cities with fewer than 200,000 people. The rates of robbery and larceny are especially high.
2. Pine Bluff, AR - this area has a high murder rate and the ninth-highest rate of robbery in the nation.
3. Monroe, LA - there is a significant rate of violent and property crime, especially with assault and larceny.
4. Alexandria, LA - here is the fourth-highest violent crime rate in the nation. Murder and assault are a problem, but the rate of forcible rape are low.
5. Florence, SC - Assault and larceny rates are high, but the murder rates are particularly low. 

When in these places, I'd keep a leash on my children and pepper spray in my purse!! Just in case!