Understanding Violent Crime Trends in Orange County

1. Violent Crime in Orange County

2. Christa Polczynski, MS Minna Grantham, MA Michael Bachmann, MA Jessica Eson, BA Prepared by • Dr. Jay Corzine • Dr. Lin Huff-Corzine • Dr. Libby Mustaine • Nicholas E. Libby, MA

3. United States • All numbers are rates per 100,000 population. • Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports.

4. Florida • All numbers are rates per 100,000 population. • Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

5. Orange County • All numbers are rates per 100,000 population. • Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

6. Overview of Trends • Between 2004 and 2006 in Orange County: • The murder rate increased 87.0% • The forcible rape rate decreased 4.4% • The robbery rate increased 67.0% • The aggravated assault rate increased 10.2% • The spike in violent crime in Orange County is concentrated in murder and robbery • The same trend is evident in statewide and national data

7. Total Number of Incidents

8. Total Number of Suspects

9. Total Number of Victims

10. Suspect’s Age

11. Suspect’s Race

12. Suspect’s Gender

13. Victim’s Age

14. Victim’s Race

15. Victim’s Gender

16. Gang Member Bookings

17. Situational Factors Increasing Rates of Violent Crime • Illegal drugs and drug markets • Illegal gun markets • Increased violence in street culture

18. Social Factors Increasing Rates of Homicide • Percent of female headed households • Percent population living in poverty • Percent of population with no high school degree

19. Social Factors Increasing Rates of Homicide • Percent of female headed households • Percent population living in poverty • Percent of population with no high school degree

20. Social Factors Increasing Rates of Homicide • Percentage of female-headed households • Percentage of population living in poverty • Percentage of population with no high school degree

22. Social Factors IncreasingRates of Robbery • Percent of population aged 15 and older enrolled in college • Percent of population renting • Percent of population unemployed

26. Policy Implications • Law Enforcement • Juveniles • Curfew • Schools • Community and Churches • Family • Economy

27. Law Enforcement • Assign more law enforcement officers to serve in community-oriented, targeted, proactive capacities • Successful Programs in Other Cities • Consent to Search Program – St. Louis • Boston Gun Project • Project Exile – Richmond

28. Juvenile Justice • Overhaul the Juvenile Justice System • Offenses by juveniles must have appropriate consequences • Juvenile detention has little impact on those committed to street culture • Juveniles and Guns • Adopt new measures to separate juveniles from firearms

29. Curfew • This policy is not recommended • More juvenile crimes are committed between 4 PM and 10 PM than any other time period • Primary impact on non-delinquent juveniles • Enforcement is problematic • Rarely holds up in court • Have proven ineffective in other cities

30. Schools • Expand the number and types of activities after school and on weekends • E.g., Music, Dance, Art • Sports • Re-establish in middle & vocational schools

31. Families • Encourage families in need to seek support from schools and churches • Increase availability of family life courses

32. Community and Churches • Plan organized activities after school and on weekends • Religious leaders work closely with law enforcement and other community groups

33. Economy • Plan work assignments for low income teens • Community renewal by employing residents to work on revitalization efforts (e.g., the venues project)

34. Summary • Crime Trends • Increase in Homicide and Robbery • Social Factors • Policy Implications Youth Programs Are Crime Prevention Programs