 |
|
|
| |
Strong civic and social networks are the best deterrents to crime. Ties that bind neighbors together reduce the level of community violence, as people look out for each other and ‘police’ their neighborhoods. Family/community networks can provide support for members who are under personal stress or struggling with the effects of poverty and unemployment. These support systems can, in turn, reduce incidences of drug abuse and domestic violence — the potential roots of violent behavior for which society pays a high price.
The ties that bridge neighborhoods and communities are a bulwark against intolerance. One of the effects of the events of 9/11 is an increase in hate crimes directed against people perceived to be different or foreign. More recently, the events of 9/11 have also led to a reduction in civil liberties linked to government efforts to fight terrorism. In Boston, a city that is increasingly diverse, this is of particular concern.
For a community to sustain low crime rates and ensure that its vulnerable populations are protected, it is important to track both criminal activity and the health of civic and social networks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
