Question

Pretend you are a criminologist in the year 2025 and you have developed a theory as to why crime rates sky rocketed during the pandemic. Write a one to two page paper explaining what happened, how crime went up and what caused it. Pretend perhaps you are at a conference presenting your theory to a room of other criminologists. How would you make them believe in your theory or what evidence would you provide to give your theory some credibility?

Answer 1

During the pandemic, crime rates skyrocketed due to the economic impact, social disruption, and strain on law enforcement. Evidence based on empirical data and statistical analysis can support this theory and convince other criminologists.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why Crime Rates Skyrocketed During the Pandemic

As a criminologist in the year 2025, I have developed a theory to explain the sharp increase in crime rates during the pandemic. To make other criminologists believe in my theory, I would provide evidence based on empirical data and statistical analysis, similar to the study on the relationship between COVID-19 and crime rates published in Crime Science.

Firstly, it is important to understand that during a pandemic, various factors contribute to the increase in crime rates. One of the major reasons is the economic impact of the pandemic. High levels of unemployment, business closures, and financial strain on individuals and families can lead to desperation and resorting to criminal activities as a means of survival. This is supported by research that shows a correlation between crime rates and increased unemployment.

Furthermore, the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures disrupted social structures and created a sense of isolation and boredom among individuals. With limited social interaction and reduced access to services and resources, some individuals may turn to criminal activities to alleviate their frustration, seek excitement, or find social connections within illicit networks.

Lastly, the strain on law enforcement and criminal justice systems during the pandemic can contribute to an increase in crime rates. Reduced resources, limited personnel, and changes in policing strategies can create opportunities for criminals to exploit weaknesses in the system.

In conclusion, my theory on the increase in crime rates during the pandemic is based on the economic impact, social disruption, and strain on law enforcement. By presenting empirical data, statistical analysis, and references to existing research, I would provide credibility and convince other criminologists about the factors contributing to the spike in crime rates during the pandemic.