Why are crime rates down?

[WATU2]

Crime rates are down and sentences are longer. Is it coincidental or causal?

 

[lawpoke87]

Well...since most crimes are committed by repeat offenders wouldn't it make sense that if more are locked up then there are less bad guys out there to commit said crimes which in turn leads to less crimes committed?

The above comment should not be interpreted as me agreeing with the current sentences which are now mandated for minor drug offenses.

 

[noble cane]

Everyone always touts increasing the minimum wage but they never address the fact that the costs of goods and services will "necessarily skyrocket" leaving the benefit at a net zero or perhaps a loss as the business world seeks to further replace their minimum wage workforce with automation... Also wage adjustments will not be restricted to simply minimum wage jobs.. All positions will see increased labor costs and the resulting increases will make it even more attractive to move jobs overseas or to bring in more immigrant labor.

 

[aTUfan]

Contrary to the wishes or the Obama administration; you do the crime, you do the time.

 

[rabidTU]

Maybe there is more acceptance of crime in general, thus it goes unreported. Or perhaps the criminals are just better at what they do - like cybercrime, identity theft and mailbox theft etc. And arson is often used to cover up other criminal activity because it destroys the evidence of other crimes. Contrary to popular opinion, not all criminals are dumb - they just like the thrill and get good at what they do.