Crime Prevention
Some people believe more actions can be taken to prevent crime, while others think that little can be done.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Some feel that there are diminishing returns in the extent to which crimes can be deterred. In my opinion, though crime is an inevitable element of every society, modern methods and efforts to tackle the root causes still serve as effective preventative measures.
Those arguing against prevention point to the inevitability of crime. Wealth inequality exists in all parts of the world and individuals who lack the means to earn a stable livelihood may eventually turn to crime as a last resort. While most developed countries have social safety nets in the form of food banks or soup kitchens, these are not always present in less wealthy nations, where there are still significant income gaps and a concomitant rise in crime rates. This is compounded by advances in technology in recent decades that allow individuals with extremist ideas to join fractured groups online, recruit new members, mobilise resources, and plan potential attacks. Since most democratic nations are hesitant to censor free speech online, the probability of completely eradicating crime remains relatively low.
Nonetheless, there are still measures that can be taken to prevent crime. These include the use of advanced technologies and efforts to address the chief underlying causes. Recent research studies in criminology have indicated that crimes have reached their lowest point in history in the 21st century due to the advent of forensic science and sophisticated surveillance techniques. Examples of the former include dental identifications and blood splatter analysis, while the latter involves increased surveillance and regular police patrolling in communities around the world. Moreover, education is the single most effective way to tackle the underlying cause of crimes. Governments should provide access to education for less privileged children, and schools can organise workshops to inform students of the grave consequences of criminal activities. By providing children with both knowledge and awareness, they are more likely to later find decent employment and provide for themselves, thus reducing the likelihood of later offenses.
In conclusion, though crimes are common occurrences in all societies, especially in the age of technology, education and modern techniques continue to act as effective deterrents to criminals. Governments and concerned citizens should work in tandem to prevent the onset of crimes rather than simply addressing their symptoms.
Essay Breakdown
Structure
Introduction
[1] Some feel that there are diminishing returns in the extent to which crimes can be deterred. [2] In my opinion, though crime is an inevitable element of every society, modern methods and efforts to tackle the root causes still serve as effective preventative measures.
1. Paraphrase the topic, introduce the main idea
2. A clear opinion stating my personal viewpoint
Body
Paragraph 1
[1] Those arguing against prevention point to the inevitability of crime. [2] Wealth inequality exists in all parts of the world and individuals who lack the means to earn a stable livelihood may eventually turn to crime as a last resort. [3] While most developed countries have social safety nets in the form of food banks or soup kitchens, these are not always present in less wealthy nations, where there are still significant income gaps and a concomitant rise in crime rates. [4] This is compounded by advances in technology in recent decades that allow individuals with extremist ideas to join fractured groups online, recruit new members, mobilise resources, and plan potential attacks. [5] Since most democratic nations are hesitant to censor free speech online, the probability of completely eradicating crime remains relatively low.
1. A topic sentence showing the main idea – crime is inevitable
2. Introduce the first supporting point – societal issues contribute to crime
3. Use an example comparing developed and less wealthy countries to support the point
4. Extend the point by giving a technology-related example.
5. Show the result of the example
Paragraph 2
[1] Nonetheless, there are still measures that can be taken to prevent crime. [2] These include the use of advanced technologies and efforts to address the chief underlying causes. [3] Recent research studies in criminology have indicated that crimes have reached their lowest point in history in the 21st century due to the advent of forensic science and sophisticated surveillance techniques. [4] Examples of the former include dental identifications and blood splatter analysis, while the latter involves increased surveillance and regular police patrolling in communities around the world. [5] Moreover, education is the single most effective way to tackle the underlying cause of crimes. [6] Governments should provide access to education for less privileged children, and schools can organise workshops to inform students of the grave consequences of criminal activities. [7] By providing children with both knowledge and awareness, they are more likely to later find decent employment and provide for themselves, thus reducing the likelihood of later offenses.
1. A topic sentence showing the main idea – crime can be prevented by a number of solutions
2. Introduce the first supporting idea – efforts and advanced technologies
3. Develop the idea by giving an explanation (forensic science and sophisticated surveillance techniques)
4. Support the explanation by using a two-part example (the former and the latter)
5. Introduce the second supporting idea – education
6. Develop the idea
7. Conclude by showing a positive future outcome
Conclusion
[1] In conclusion, though crimes are common occurrences in all societies, especially in the age of technology, education and modern techniques continue to act as effective deterrents to criminals. [2] Governments and concerned citizens should work in tandem to prevent the onset of crimes rather than simply addressing their symptoms.
1. Restate my opinion
2. Extend the viewpoint by stating a final thought
Vocabulary
Some feel that there are diminishing returns in the extent to which crimes can be deterred. In my opinion, though crime is an inevitable element of every society, modern methods and efforts to tackle the root causes still serve as effective preventative measures.
Those arguing against prevention point to the inevitability of crime. Wealth inequality exists in all parts of the world and individuals who lack the means to earn a stable livelihood may eventually turn to crime as a last resort. While most developed countries have social safety nets in the form of food banks or soup kitchens, these are not always present in less wealthy nations, where there are still significant income gaps and a concomitant rise in crime rates. This is compounded by advances in technology in recent decades that allow individuals with extremist ideas to join fractured groups online, recruit new members, mobilise resources, and plan potential attacks. Since most democratic nations are hesitant to censor free speech online, the probability of completely eradicating crime remains relatively low.
Nonetheless, there are still measures that can be taken to prevent crime. These include the use of advanced technologies and efforts to address the chief underlying causes. Recent research studies in criminology have indicated that crimes have reached their lowest point in history in the 21st century due to the advent of forensic science and sophisticated surveillance techniques. Examples of the former include dental identifications and blood splatter analysis, while the latter involves increased surveillance and regular police patrolling in communities around the world. Moreover, education is the single most effective way to tackle the underlying cause of crimes. Governments should provide access to education for less privileged children, and schools can organise workshops to inform students of the grave consequences of criminal activities. By providing children with both knowledge and awareness, they are more likely to later find decent employment and provide for themselves, thus reducing the likelihood of later offenses.
In conclusion, though crimes are common occurrences in all societies, especially in the age of technology, education and modern techniques continue to act as effective deterrents to criminals. Governments and concerned citizens should work in tandem to prevent the onset of crimes rather than simply addressing their symptoms.
- Diminishing returns: decreasing effectiveness over time
- Tackle the root causes: address underlying issues
- Inevitability of crime: the idea that crime is a permanent part of society
- Earn a stable livelihood: earn a stable living
- Social safety net: A system of support for people in need
- Income gaps: difference in income or wealth between groups
- Concomitant: occurring at the same time
- Advances in technology: improvements in new technologies
- Fractured groups: divided groups
- Mobilise resources: gather resources to achieve a goal
- Eradicating: completely eliminating
- Criminology: A study of crime and criminals
- Forensic science: A study of crime and criminal behavior using physical evidence
- Sophisticated surveillance techniques: advanced methods for monitoring people or activities
- Dental identifications: identification using teeth or dental records
- Blood splatter analysis: A study of blood stains to determine how a crime was committed
- Increased surveillance: use of more cameras, guards, etc. to watch or monitor an area
- Regular police patrolling: regular visits and monitoring by police to prevent crime or provide security
- Grave consequences: serious outcomes
- Work in tandem: working together in a coordinated way
- Addressing the symptoms: dealing with visible problems rather than underlying causes.
Grammar Gems:
“CONCOMITANT”
“While most developed countries have social safety nets in the form of food banks or soup kitchens, these are not always present in less wealthy nations, where there are still significant income gaps and a concomitant rise in crime rates.”
In this sentence, the word “concomitant” is an adjective to describe the relationship between income gaps and a rise in crime rates. This word is a sophisticated vocabulary choice and could be replaced with more common words such as “associated” or “related”. Using “concomitant” adds emphasis on the idea that the two phenomena are closely linked.
Reading
Further reading about this topic can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_prevention
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Further listening about this topic can be found here:
