Neighborhood Watch Prevention Program Research Paper

Neighborhood Watch Prevention Program - Research Paper Example 105). Neighborhood Watch, subsumed within a broad classification of community crime prevention programs, has historical beginnings in the most primitive and olden crime prevention schemes. Undoubtedly, the prevention of crime has been a preoccupation of civilizations spanning the course of time (Lab, 2004). Although crime prevention has been an invariable concern throughout history, the methods used to prevent crime have differed not only in strategic complexity but also with respect to the staff relegated to perform crime prevention tasks (Lab, 2004; Vago, 2003). For instance, quite notable distinctions among historic crime prevention schemes include the exclusive reliance on the informal social control of primitive kin groups, which had no formal system of jurisprudence, versus the utilization of a semi-formal and/or paid obligatory police force, existing within a more complex legal system (Vago, 2003). Regardless of the strategic complexity, crime prevention schemes of past have r elied to a large extent on a familial (kin) and/or a neighborhood watch-style of policing- a style of policing which is congruent with the basic tenets of Neighborhood Watch and a style of policing which is being hailed as a crucial remedy to resolve neighborhood crime and disorder problems (Lab, 2004). This style of policing however does not absolve formal agents of social control from also being responsible for the prevention of crime (Bowers & Johnson, 2005). Since the 1970s, empirical studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of Neighborhood Watch (Rosenbaum, Lewis, & Grant, 1986; Lindsay & McGillis, 1986). These studies have focused on finding a relationship between Neighborhood Watch and reductions in (1) residential burglary, (2) fear of crime, and (3) victimizations. Other studies have also assessed the relationship between community crime prevention programs, including Neighborhood Watch and collective efficacy; informal social control; and attachment to th e neighborhood (Rosenbaum et al., 1986). Early studies on Neighborhood Watch revealed the most promising findings. For instance, studies conducted in Seattle and Portland showed that the implementation of watch programs led to a significant reduction in self-reported burglary victimizations (Lindsay & McGillis, 1986). Also, program participants in Seattle were found to incorporate elements of Neighborhood Watch into their daily routines (e.g. personal protection behaviors) and incorporate elements of the program to defend their home from being burglarized (Clarke & Newman, 2006). In Portland, program participants were more apt to engage in protection behaviors that benefited them and their neighborhood. Thus, it showed that residents were engaging in personal and collective protection behaviors (Schneider, 1986). In Hartford, Connecticut, a test of Newman's (1972) notions of defensible space and territoriality also revealed promising findings. Two years after the implementation of w atch programs and after the implementation of changes in the neighborhood's traffic flow, residents reported lower burglary and robbery victimizations. The study also showed an increase in resident's ability to exert informal social control- they were more willing to protect their neighborhood from intruders and more likely to interact with their neighbors (Fowler & Mangoine, 1986). Evaluations conducted in

Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Death Penalty - Essay Example Death penalties in previous times were charged for the theft, sedition and killing, etc. People of modern times raise questions against the execution of death penalties charged by the State as people think ethically there should be a thorough discussion based on evidences, rights and ethical values before such executions (Lee and Mooney). Since day one, the United States of America has been quite successful in controlling overall affects and consequences than any other country including Europe, etc. United States of America had set proper laws and regulations for the execution of death penalties for some of the identical crimes. People in the United States believe that the death penalty is not just a punishment for a single person but could equal to a proper torture for the entire family. Death is death, either killing or punishment so people raise issues and arguments. Therefore, Americans tend to choose death penalty as the last option for severe terrorists and criminals. Holding all other arguments constant, government does explain to people that some criminals are habitual of conducting severe crimes like murder or terrorism that it might not be feasible to let such criminals open as this way, they can commit more crimes in future. After the incident of nine eleven, the US has been stricter than ever before. In some ways, death penalties can not only prevent the citizens from dangerous habitual terrorists but can also be an example for other people to stay far of such

Fields of dreams Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fields of dreams - Movie Review Example This film’s theme was about a man’s search for his father. He hears heavenly voices, develops a field of baseball on faith and converses with famous dead players who appear to be angels. In the film, Terence Mann tells Ray Kinsella that crowds will come, because they have money and lack peace. He also states that the crowds can even dip themselves, just like a religious rite, in magic waters (Wood et al, 70- 72). Both the Natural and Field of Dreams show how baseball is redemptive. In The Natural, Roy Hobbs, in his journey of becoming the â€Å"best there ever was†, experiences a short fall when his career is ended before he achieves his dream. Through baseball, however, sixteen years later, he comes back and manages to redeem himself by achieving his dreams and being able to fulfill his role as a patriarchal family figure. This is also demonstrated in Field of Dreams, whereby the voice of Ray’s dad drives Ray to generate this illogical field as is brought out through the personification of the Voice. However, it represents a space whereby ghosts from the past can come back from the purgatory of a cornfield to be with the present-day people (Wood et al, 72). 2. Hearing plays a very important role in Field of Dreams. Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, creates the ball field for Joe, the â€Å"Shoeless Joe†. ... This happens also because a voice had instructed him so. Compared to the role of sound in The Exorcist, while in Field of Dreams hearing is excellently used to build more on the theme of the film, this is not the case in the Exorcist. In the Exorcist, sound is several decibels higher compared to the visuals, which augments the tension of the audience. When for example, Regan is brought in the foreground, as she listens to her mother, the sound of the voice of Chris is shrill and piercing. In Field of Dreams, cause-and-effect is demonstrated by Costner’s clear view of his logic supporting his intuition. Having a clear vision of the cause-effect judgment behind his intuition, Kevin Costner followed his instincts and then went on to take action to ensure things happened to keep the farm. Costner says â€Å"If we build it, then they will come.† This quote is about a principle that is profound for not just Costner but for the film as well. At the time he was saying the words , the farm was in foreclosure, which makes it justifiable to presume that the higher objective was to save the farm. It is this goal of saving the farm that focused his project, and ended up contributing to the objective of using baseball to reconnect with his father (Baltov, p. 40). 3. Imagination plays a very important role in the discussion of God. Imagination answers the question of how people can begin to perceive God. The most appropriate manner of trying to perceive God is using our minds that are limitless; our imagination. Imagination is limitless and beyond the primitive logic of people, which makes it important when discussing God. Worth noting is that coincidentally, God is described in the same way, a limitless way. When forming an image of God, it is important that