Joined: May 10, 11
Threads: 16
Posts: 17
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Executive summary:
This paper makes mention of some of the most common crimes in
Canada and highlights the cities where these crimes are
concentrated. The paper then zeroes in on the most common crime
of homicide and discusses the reasons that contribute to the
high homicide rate. Next, the paper will discuss some possible
measures which squarely address the contributing factors to the
high homicide rate. Lastly, the paper will explain why these
measures were suggested and what kind of effects are predicted.
Introduction:
Canadian culture is marked by equality and respect for other
people regardless of gender, race, religion or cultural
background (Canadian Culture). However, this paper will indicate
that, just like any other nation, Canada has its share of
crimes.
Research results:
A 2006 consensus revealed the following crime rates for 4 of the
major crime indicators.
For the crime of homicide, Nunavut topped the list at a crime
rate of 6.5 per population of 100,000; followed by Saskatchewan
at 4.3; Manitoba at 3.3; Alberta at 2.8; and British Columbia at
2.5.
For the crime of level 1 to 3 assault, Nunavut is again on top
of the list with a crime rate of 5,893 per 100,000 population;
followed by the Northwestern territories at 5, 834; Yukon at
2,655; Saskatchewan at 1,671; and Manitoba at 1,243.
For robbery, Manitoba is at number 1 with a crime rate of 182
per 100,000 population; followed by Saskatchewan at 150; British
Columbia makes it to the list at 110; followed by Alberta at 93;
and Quebec at 91.
For breaking and entering, the Northwestern territories are
number 1 with a crime rate of 2,332 per 100,000 population;
Nunavut is at number 2 with 1,965; British Columbia at number 3
with 1,088; at number 4 is Manitoba with 1,074; and Quebec at
number 5 with 867(Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia).
While no formal consensus was available for the other years,
newspaper articles indicate that in 2003, Saskatchewan had the
highest homicide rate (Munroe, 2003). By 2009, Manitoba had the
highest homicide rate(Police-reported crime statistics, 2009).
Other developments in 2009 came to show that the crime severity
index or CSI (a measure of the seriousness of police-reported
crime) of Saskatchewan was reported as the highest followed by
Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta (Police-reported crime
statistics, 2009).
Given the above data, it seems there are at least 5 cities
rating high in the crime list. Nunavut ranks high in the crimes
of homicide, assault, breaking and entering. Saskatchewan ranks
high in homicide, assault and robbery. Manitoba ranks high in
robbery, homicide, breaking and entering.
British Columbia ranks high in homicide, robbery, breaking and
entering. While Alberta seems to rank low in other crimes, it
has its prominent share of homicide and robbery. Given that
homicide seems to be the most common crime committed in these
cities of crime, this paper will attempt to address this issue
by offering some possible solutions to avoid the commission of
this crime. This paper will also attempt to device a strategy by
which the success of these solutions may be measured.
Before addressing any problem, there is a need to look at the
possible reasons for its existence. Why does the homicide rate
exist and what is fuelling its existence? In order to answer
this question, it is worth looking into the city of Abbotsford,
British Columbia which finds itself on the number 1 spot for
having the most homicides per capita in 2009. Abbotsford's high
murder rate is likely due to its popularity with gang leaders
who have been engaged in a murderous turf war in recent years
(Abbotsford, B.C. is Canada's murder capital, again, 2010).
Other realities suspected of playing a role in the high homicide
rates reported is the attention given by the authorities to the
wrong targets.
A report has shown that despite decades of mandatory handgun
registration, the use of handguns to commit homicide has
increased from 27% in 1974 to 66% in 2002. 2/3 of the accused
for murder had a criminal record, while 73% of the 2/3 had been
previously convicted (Breitkreuz, 2003).
Another interesting fact that may contribute to the homicide
rates is that aboriginals, who make up 3% of the Canadian
population, accounted for 21% of those accused of homicide. And
yet, police have been internally instructed to no longer collect
information on the aboriginal status of accused (Breitkreuz,
2003).
Other contributing factors on record: 68% of accused were on
alcohol, drugs or both at the time of the offense. Lastly, 13%
of the accused were mentally ill (Breitkreuz, 2003).
Crime prevention strategy:
A crime prevention strategy for homicide needs to take the above
facts into consideration. First, there is a need to tighten gun
sales to gang members. The sellers should be held liable with
the users of unregistered guns incase the object of their sale
is used for homicide. Second, repeat offenders should not be out
on the streets. There needs to be a no-bail policy to make sure
repeat offenders are not given another opportunity to commit the
same crime. Third, it's baffling to learn that aboriginals
contribute to the crime but are not being accounted for it. The
'internal policy' allowing this, needs to go.
Drug and alcohol addiction has also been shown to contribute
overwhelmingly to the homicide rate. On this note, the
government needs to step up its rehabilitation program and make
sure that the people who pose a danger to the society should
remain confined.
Lastly, there's the mentally ill who contribute a small but
nevertheless visible portion to the homicide rate. People like
this should not be out on the streets and the government needs
to either guarantee their confinement to a psychiatric ward or
hold their guardians liable for their actions.
Now, the question is: will these measures be effective? Let's
see: if guns serve as a weapon to commit homicide, restricting
its access will make it more difficult to commit the crime. If
the criminals who commit the crimes are locked up and
religiously guarded by authorities, they cannot roam the streets
to commit more crimes. Same goes for the drug addicts, the
alcoholics and the mentally challenged.
If the police will thoroughly keep records on the people
committing crimes, it will be easier to prosecute these people
and keep them in jail. Of course, these are just predictions.
Only time will tell if these measures will actually bring down
the homicide rate.
Conclusion:
This paper zeroes in on the crime of homicide but, as the
research has indicated, this is not the only widespread crime in
Canada. There are many more property crimes, counterfeiting
crimes, and more serious assaults that take place around the
country. This research has also discovered that the regulations
on running after criminals need a makeover. The law needs to
tighten its grip on erring residents if not citizens. Lastly,
the authorities need to realize that they play an important role
in preventing these crimes by not allowing the criminals to roam
free.
References:
Abbotsford, B.C. is Canada's murder capital, again. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/07/20/abbotsford-b-c-is-canada%E2%80%99s-murde r-capital%E2%80%94again/
Breitkreuz, G. (2003). StatsCan Homicide Report Shows Right and Wrong Targets for Saving Lives. Retrieved from: http://www.garrybreitkreuz.com/breitkreuzgpress/guns95.htm
Canadian Culture (n.d.) Retrieved from: vec.ca/english/2/culture.cfm
Munroe, S. (n.d.). Canadian Crime Rates for 2003. Retrieved from: canadaonline.about.com/od/crime/a/crimerates2003.htm
Police Reported Crime Statistics. (2009). Retrieved from: statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100720/dq100720a-eng.htm
Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. (2007). Retrieved from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Canada
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