I love the way Britian is heading:
We have less violent crime, yet more is reported in the media, so people are actually more scared of crime, despite a significant drop.
The use of crack and cocaine has exploded, with high numbers of people getting hooked, yet rather than spend the money on the police forces, in order to catch the dealers, they are isntead making marijuana more illegal (despite the lack of violent crimes involving mraijuana).
The country is now in fear of street gangs and gun violence. Now this one makes me really puzzled. I live in Manchester, the birth place of Britains modern day street gangs, so much so it coined the nicknames Gunchester, Gangchester, an, The Bronx of Britain. This was one of Britains first cities to see drive-bys, open drug dealing, and a fierce gang culture. This fromed in the 80's, and after a few serious gun fights, it has lowly waned to the point it's rare you hear of gang related murders. My teacher who lives in an area just south of the the major gang districts, says that most of what the media says is simply jsut to sell papers, and most of these areas are quite decent.
So, Britain's central city of guns and gangs has reached a point in crime crackdown, not uncommon with New York. So, if crime has dropped in the countries worst gun toting city, to the point nobody is even being murdered anymore, surely the people of said city should feel safer?
Well no, people are actually more scared. The reason is that the media isn't totally wrong. They report the serious crimes more, and go on aobut how the prison population has risen to the point they're shortening sentences and even freeing people to make room for new convicts. Since the Labour government got into power, there has been 3000 new offences created. So, when you boil it down, the prisons are full of people comitting crimes that may not have caused anyone any physical harm, (surely not all of the 3000 new offences can be of violent nature, since most violent acts are already covered). Yet, the prisons are teeming with what can only be minor offences. Britian used to have a death penalty, and many wish to have it back. I think this is going too far. Not all convicts are violent, some are fraudsters, stoners, drink drivers etc. The death penalty would be going too far seeing as most people are bbehind bars for not even throwing a punch.
So, onto America's prison popualtion. Murmurs suggest some people are in favour of death penalty i nmore states, tougher police etc. Now, 1 in a 100 is behind bars. however, lets take into account they are not all generic criminals, most of them not commiting acts of murder, rape, robbery etc. Also how many are only there for shorter periods of time?
I understand there may not have been 3000 more ways to get sent to the can, and I agree 1 in a 100 is a high number, yet it sounds like another scare statistic to me. Lets face it, in countries such as Canada, USA, and the UK, criems that often went unreported are now treated with highest regard; things such as domestic violence, child abuse, even drug use has been ignored right up until the 60's. And of course, both the Uk and America have been blasted over poor education before (which to me seems rediculous considering some countries dont even have schools). But bascially what we're seeing now, isn't a rise in crime, simply the police taking mroe notice. 1 i na 100 sounds great; I'd love to see 1 i na 100 of my fellow Britains behind bars, especially the thug round the corner from me who has taken to waiitng behind my house for his crack dealer to show, or the gang of tear away 12 year olds that seem intent on settigng fires and smashing up abondoned houses!
