Final answer:
An increased crime rate in neighborhoods can be attributed to factors like poverty, ethnic diversity, and residential turnover. Addressing the poverty trap requires strengthening the safety net for vulnerable populations. Environmental and planning disparities in poorer areas also play a significant role in exacerbating issues related to poverty and crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research has identified several predictors for elevated crime rates in neighborhoods, notably poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, and residential mobility. These factors hinder the development of community social control, similar to how parents might lose control over children they don't know well. Areas facing such issues create an environment where crime is more prevalent due to a lack of shared norms and a sense of ownership among residents.
In discussing ways to mitigate the effects of the poverty trap, it's essential to consider the concept of the 'safety net,' which provides critical support to those in need to prevent further descent into poverty. The near-poor represent individuals who live above the poverty line but lack sufficient income to be considered economically secure. Strengthening the safety net can help reduce the impact of the poverty trap by ensuring basic needs are met and providing opportunities for upward mobility.
Environmental factors in impoverished neighborhoods also contribute to crime and social issues. Lack of access to safe water, high illiteracy rates, and inadequate disaster planning, as seen during Hurricane Katrina, exacerbate the challenges faced by these communities. For instance, the lack of evacuation plans for individuals without automobiles disproportionately affected the black residents of New Orleans, showcasing the intersection of socioeconomic status and race in emergency preparedness.