One thing we could do is redefine the whole concept of crime itself and the true causes behind it.
A good place to start would be to cast off the old fashioned conservative notion that criminals are responsible for crime. We know that's only half true. Crime is a two way street. There is no crime if there is no victim. Common sense tells us if we had fewer victims, we would of necessity have less crime. Ergo, the victims of crime are least as much at fault for high crime rates as the criminals. But strangely, we aren't holding them equally responsible.
So I propose we make the victims responsible for any acts of crime committed against them, and moreover, make them responsible for any criminals they create while engaged in the act of being victimized. Rather than having the state bear the expense of incarcerating criminals, force the victims to take them in, feed them, clothe them, shelter them, share their remotes with them, etc.
While this simple paradigm shift might not immediately deter the criminals, it would certainly make the victims think twice before reporting a crime, and that's obviously half the battle right there.
bland@letsthinkcreativelyaboutthis.com |
