Crime And Property Essay, Research Paper

"Crime is the violation of statutes enacted into criminal law by a

locality, state, or the federal government" (Macionis, 218). Crimes against

property include robbery of another’s personal belongings. Property crimes

include burglary, larceny, and auto theft. Burglary consists of "the

unlawful entry of a structure to commit a [serious crime] or a theft" (Macionis,

220). Larceny is "the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of

property from the possession of another" (Macionis, 220). Auto theft is

"the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle" (Macionis, 220).

Since the beginning of time there has been crime and theft. In primitive

civilizations theft could have included stealing essentials for life (food,

water, shelter), women, weapons, etc. In more recent times theft has come to

include all material possessions a person has. Only naming several which are

money, jewelry, pets, automobiles, etc. For as long as people have legitimately

owned or made a legal claim to objects there has been theft. Most criminals

steal in order to support expensive habits in which excessive amounts of money

are crucial. Poverty is also another significant influence of crime and theft.

As well as a lack in morals and values contributes to crime and robbery. Another

influence of crime and robbery is that certain crimes are committed to

experience a thrill, adrenaline rush or whatever it may be called. No matter

what the motive may be, crime and robbery are very frequent and rates are

increasing. There is a direct and close correlation of poverty and crime. As the

years have passed people have become more and more socially stratified. Thus,

creating a feeling of inferiority among the poor and less fortunate. With this

feeling people are more inclined to commit crimes, mainly in the form of

robbery. The action of theft is a quick and effective way of gaining what is

desired or what will theoretically make the feeling of inferiority go away. For

example as studied by Robert Park and Ernest Burgess in Chicago, the "zone

of transition" (ghetto) promotes and advocates criminal behavior and

deviance. Through this case study it concluded that crime rates are consistently

high in these areas in cities. Also, no matter what groups and different

nationalities inhibited the area, there is no relation to the rates.