Less Law More Order: The Truth About Reducing Crime - Softcover

Waller, Irvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1897453035 ISBN 13: 9781897453032

Publisher: Manor House Publishing Inc, 2008

Synopsis

Each year 24 million Americans are victims of crime. U.S. taxpayers spend more and more each year on police, prisons and judges--a record $200 billion at last count. They incarcerate more and more persons each year--two million plus. Yet prestigious commissions show not only that this standard way of responding to crime is ineffective but that there is scientific proof that many projects that tackle risk factors that cause crime are quite effective. Rather than sending more people to jail or hiring more and more police, the author, and the research, show that addressing problems in the community does more to prevent crime. This timely book illustrates in convincing detail what needs to be done to prevent crime and keep people out of prison. Here, Waller shows that hiring public health nurses and investing in helping youth at risk to complete school and get job training is better than hiring more police; preventing family violence, banning hand guns and dealing with drugs through public health saves more lives than incarceration; getting close neighbors to watch out for us and better industrial design are more effective than criminal courts; smarter policing is better than more police; paying for services to support victims and guaranteeing them rights is better than more rhetoric. Addressing the social issues that lead to crime, rather than addressing crime after it happens, or putting stiffer penalties in place, will contribute to creating a safer society and to keeping kids and adults from taking the wrong path toward a life of crime.

About this title

Product Description

Waller, a professor of criminology, challenges the conventional practices of law enforcement in reacting to crime. He presents scientific research, demonstrating crime prevention projects that have successfully tackled factors at the root of crime. Yet, despite findings by numerous prestigious commissions from both national and international sources, the current response appears to be increased incarceration and police force, which tends to lead to more incarceration. Waller details those programs that have proven successful in reducing crime by helping at-risk youth to complete school and get job training, preventing family violence, restricting hand guns, and addressing drug abuse through public-health services. Waller also advocates services to support victims and protect their rights. But he emphasises 'smarter' policing, which involves better utilisation of available resources. However, the clear challenge is to get responsible officials to see that a more effective deterrent to crime is to address social issues that lead to crime rather than the current reactive practice of increasing penalties and reacting to crime after it occurs.

Review

"ÝC¨hallenges the conventional practices of law enforcement in reacting to crime. He presents scientific research, demonstrating crime prevention projects that have successfully tackled factors at the root of crime. Yet, despite findings by numerous prestigious commissions from both national and international sources, the current response appears to be increased incarceration and police force, which tends to lead to more incarceration. Waller details those programs that have proven successful in reducing crime by helping at-risk youth to complete school and get job training, preventing family violence, restricting hand guns, and addressing drug abuse through public-health services....Ýt¨he clear challenge is to get responsible officials to see that a more effective deterrent to crime is to address social issues that lead to crime rather than the current reactive practice of increasing penalties and reacting to crime after it occurs."-Booklist

?In nine well-written, clearly documented chapters, Waller makes the case for adopting policies that privilege the prevention of crime over the current "tough on crime" response. He demonstrates how the punitive approach is actually tough on victims and taxpayers and produces questionable outcomes. The author offers a series of policy proposals that would focus on addressing the known causes of conventional crime, starting with programs to invest in more effective parenting and schooling. Many proposals are quite familiar (e.g., outlaw handguns), and some are especially ambitious (e.g., transform urban environments). Concluding chapters call for "investing in order" and "busting causes, not budgets." Altogether, this brief but well-organized book offers a useful overview of the case for an alternative to the current crime-fighting public policies. Recommended. All public and academic levels/libraries.?-Choice

?[C]hallenges the conventional practices of law enforcement in reacting to crime. He presents scientific research, demonstrating crime prevention projects that have successfully tackled factors at the root of crime. Yet, despite findings by numerous prestigious commissions from both national and international sources, the current response appears to be increased incarceration and police force, which tends to lead to more incarceration. Waller details those programs that have proven successful in reducing crime by helping at-risk youth to complete school and get job training, preventing family violence, restricting hand guns, and addressing drug abuse through public-health services....[t]he clear challenge is to get responsible officials to see that a more effective deterrent to crime is to address social issues that lead to crime rather than the current reactive practice of increasing penalties and reacting to crime after it occurs.?-Booklist

"In nine well-written, clearly documented chapters, Waller makes the case for adopting policies that privilege the prevention of crime over the current "tough on crime" response. He demonstrates how the punitive approach is actually tough on victims and taxpayers and produces questionable outcomes. The author offers a series of policy proposals that would focus on addressing the known causes of conventional crime, starting with programs to invest in more effective parenting and schooling. Many proposals are quite familiar (e.g., outlaw handguns), and some are especially ambitious (e.g., transform urban environments). Concluding chapters call for "investing in order" and "busting causes, not budgets." Altogether, this brief but well-organized book offers a useful overview of the case for an alternative to the current crime-fighting public policies. Recommended. All public and academic levels/libraries."-Choice

"[C]hallenges the conventional practices of law enforcement in reacting to crime. He presents scientific research, demonstrating crime prevention projects that have successfully tackled factors at the root of crime. Yet, despite findings by numerous prestigious commissions from both national and international sources, the current response appears to be increased incarceration and police force, which tends to lead to more incarceration. Waller details those programs that have proven successful in reducing crime by helping at-risk youth to complete school and get job training, preventing family violence, restricting hand guns, and addressing drug abuse through public-health services....[t]he clear challenge is to get responsible officials to see that a more effective deterrent to crime is to address social issues that lead to crime rather than the current reactive practice of increasing penalties and reacting to crime after it occurs."-Booklist

Edition details

• Publisher: Manor House Publishing Inc
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1897453035
• ISBN 13: 9781897453032
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152