complacency about crime in general is at the root of this problem—a complacency
complacency about crime in general is at the root of this problem—a complacency
born of our desire to let police do all the work. This national laziness, she says,
has spilled over into other dangerous areas: drug use, gun purchases (especially
by young people), and gang activity. Indeed, all of these ills started, she says,
because of our lackadaisical attitude toward crime. But, she says, those are not
our only problems. She sees a strong link between the increase in crime and the
recent economic downturn. The state of the economy, she says, has led people
never before involved in crime to commit illicit acts to survive.
never before involved in crime to commit illicit acts to survive.
To change this sorry state, Schaffer recommends that governments and citizens
join hands to put an end to crime. On a governmental level, she says that we
need to devote far more resources to police and sheriffs' departments. In
addition, courts need to enforce drug related crimes more consistently so that
criminals do not get the idea that using and selling drugs will result in light
sentences. This, she claims, will dramatically reduce gang activity and gang related
crimes. But she also insists that citizens need to join the efforts. She admonishes
everyone to report crimes, to write letters to governmental representatives to
insist on harsher punishments for criminals, and to boycott any business caught
selling alcohol to minors.