Where have our burglars gone?

The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21582041-rich-world-seeing-less-and-less-crime-even-face-high-unemployment-and-economic

"Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone? Oh where, oh where can he be?" This little song has been share in many families as a cute, catchy tune concerning a fictional, missing dog. However, change the word "dog" into the word "burglar", this catchy tune now reflects current world problems.

In this article, many ideas are presented that may have led to the decrease of criminal activities. It is believed that the absence of a baby-boom, the increase of prisoners, the improvement of police forces, the increase of well-behaved children, and the enlargement of business's security may have led to the decreasing of crime rates. These ideas individually have flaws but some of them may have been correct. Bill Bratton, the reformer of police tactics, has done much to make ghetto, dangerous cities safe. He, arguably, could be the one man who changed the LAPD from the racist, corrupted, scandal-ridden force in the 1990s. His actions of improving the police force are justified as one of the reasons crime rate is dropping. Another point given by the article that has decreased crime rates is the increase in well-behaved children. Children growing up in "together" families and experiencing a wonderful education are less likely to turn to crime as a means of survival later on in his or her life. Instead, these children are more likely to become excellent grown-ups and lead the society as role-models for the children in their generation.

Decreasing of crimes undoubtedly has beneficial short and long term effects. In the short term, the decrease of crime is superb. However, in some aspects, one can see the negative long term side of a gradual decrease in crime rate. First of all, the decrease in crime rates leads to the possibility of the government not needing a police force, or at least not a sufficient police force. This way of perceiving the police force may lead to an inadequate amount of money to go to the police force, forcing some police officers to be laid off. The more secure a government is about protection, the less there will be the necessity of a police officer. This misconception will lead to a gradual decline of police officer and when a time arises of many officers, the government will not be ready. Secondly, one could argue how in the long term, the decrease in crime rate can lead to more stress for children. In order for one's child to live a crime-free life, the child might face oppression from his or her parent. Constant oppression will lead a child to either rebellion, or resentment to the parents. Either way, there will not be any positive aftermaths.