Crime Rates Expand While

Employment Shrinks
By Erica Aguirre

Abstract:
The purpose of this report is to analyze one of the main
factors that contribute to the incline in Crime Rates.
Unemployment has had an effect more than we realize when it
comes to burglary/ robbery, rape and assault. After studying
graphical data and information take by the FBIs Uniform Crime
Reports, results needed to be shared to help put a stop to one
less factor contributing to crime. To think of your city becoming
more unsafe putting lives in great danger, should have all readers
wanting to be a part of creating a better, safer environment.

Methods & Materials:

There are many statistics over Crime rates when you take
the time of day to search. Viloent crimes include murder, rape,
robbery, and assault. Along side burglary, larceny, and vehicle
theft make up property crime. Beureau of Labor Statistics record
the rates of unemployment while the Bureau of Investigations
Uniform Crime Reporting System records overall Crime rates by
each state.
In the Data Table 1 listed below, offences per 100,000
civilians were recorded in a time frame. Between 1998 to 2013,
you can see Robbery, burglary, and theft (axis in blue) following
unemployment rates (axis in red). For example, in the year 2001,
month of April, the unemployment rate was at its highest peak.
The axis to the left displays 500 offences in that year causing
unemployment to be raised up to 8% shown in the axis to the
right.
Data Table 1:

Discussion:
Now that youve seen the facts lets get a few logical
opinions using facts provided.
Failure of employment can be caused by a few factors. There
is education being number one. A lot of jobs will choose people
that have at least obtained a high school diploma, which 1 in
every 4 Americans do not. Careers especially will not even
consider an individual whom does not possess a degree in the
department they are pursuing. For example, if your doctor had
never obtained his or her medical license and or Doctorial degree,
Im quite sure you would no longer show your face there. So I
absolutely agree with how the employment system works.
However, education opportunities can be more available such as
working with civilians to acquire a G.E.D. Instead of turning them
down, why not work with that individual to help them achieve
one. Sponsor a program to help other applicants with gaining a
G.E.D. and offer them a spot in your restaurant or retail store.
Even if it is placing he/she in the simplest place of the store, they
will be earning an income. A higher amount of money will be

needed for the schooling that I understand some or most may not
have. To differ, the other percentage may be able to find a way
with the life changing opportunity being presented to them.
Going back to what we discussed in the results chapter,
enemployemtn can have a worse impact than what we imagine in
one beings life. One critical suggestion is instead of being so
quick to turn someone away from employment because if their
low education, why dont we Americans become more strict on
just who alcohol is sold to. As far as illegal substances, we can
only hope our law enforcement will soon have all streets cleaned
and volunteer our help as a community. So instead of a making a
positive item such as G.E.D, difficult to reach for why not make
alcohol a challenge instead.

Two fellow economists came to the conclusion that only a 2% drop

in unemployment would cause a 9% decline in burglary, 14% in
rape & robbery and 30% in assault. If unemployment would have
been a point higher in percentage back in 1992, almost 500,000
more crimes would have occurred in the United States. That is a
huge impact from just a one percent difference.

Results:
After analyzing statistics and information provided not only
in this report but quite a few of many others, I believe
unemployment can have a huge impact on crime rates. The graph
provided in previous materials & methods page gives you a visual
of the two subjects following nearby each other throughout the
time period chosen. When unemployments scale would rise so
would crime rates such as burglary, theft and even rape.
The effects of unemployment are much more difficult than
the employed may think. Being without a job, without a steady
income even if it is minimum wage, can leave an individual
emotionally, mentally and even physically distraught. Speaking
from personal experience, whether its days, weeks or months,
being unemployed can transform can transform your normal daily
person others are used to. Anytime high levels of stress take over,
aggravation, irritation and desperation can come about. Knowing
bills arent being paid or even worse, not being able to make rent
can cause that new person to take matters into their own hands.
Thinking they have no other options, they go ahead and commit a
crime of theft and or burglary. For those who seek drugs or alcohol
because of the depression, even hurtful crimes can happen
including rape, murder or even suicide.

Introduction:
In todays decade, Crime rates continue to increase all over
the U.S. FBIs Uniform Crime Reports analyze periods such as
1970 to 1993 and narrow down the different types of crimes while
also researching causes and factors. For example, from 1992 to
1996, studies show unemployment increasing, causing different
categories of crime to increase as well. Former economists
calculated that a drop of only 2% in unemployment would cause a
9% rise in burglary, 14% in rape and robbery as well as a 30%
increase in assault. Now, you may ask yourself how could
unemployement have such an effect on Crime? Or how were
those calculations even brought about? Those questions will be
covered throughout the next sections of this report.

Table of Contents:

I.

Abstract
II.
Introduction
III.
Methods & Materials
IV.
Results
V.
Discussion
VI.
Discussion Cont
VII.
Sources

Sources:

"Unemployment Causes Higher Property and Violent Crime Rates." Bill Mitchell Billy Blog.
2012. Web. 03 May 2016.

"Identifying the Effect of Unemployment on Crime." Identifying the Effect of Unemployment on

Crime. Web. 03 May 2016.

"Higher Crime Rate Linked To Low Wages And Unemployment, Study Finds." Higher Crime
Rate Linked To Low Wages And Unemployment, Study Finds. Web. 03 May 2016.

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