Miscellaneous

Economy Down = Crime Up?

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Martha and the Vandellas experienced a heat wave. Everyone today wonders whether the bad economy wave will cause a crime wave.

The answer: it depends on what type of crime. Not all crime waves are equal. Leading researchers say some types of crimes are sparked by economic downturn, but proceed with caution when describing the cause and effect.

Certain crimes are more likely during hard times. These include domestic violence and property crimes.

"Murder rates have never linked very well to the unemployment rate or other standard economic indicators." At the same time, low scores on the Consumer Sentiment Index correlate (but here we remind you all that correlation does not equal causation! Say it together...) with high murder rates.

The study also shows that black market markets contribute to crime in that buyer-seller disagreements must be dealt with outside the legal system. Thus, s"any dispute between buyer and seller that would ordinarily be handled by the Better Business Bureau might now be settled with violence." (Mediators, take note!)

We'd guess, too, that empty foreclosed homes are hotbeds for mischief for vandals (not to be confused with Martha's pals), graffiti artists, and thieves.

See Will the Recession Spark a Crime Wave? Michael Moyer, Scientific American (March 2009).

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on February 20, 2009 (boomark / email).