Final answer:
The decline in crime rates since the 1990s can be attributed to the aging of the population, economic and educational improvements, and changes in policing strategies. Demographic changes, economic growth, and better education have likely played a role alongside environmental interventions and policy changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explaining the Decline in Crime Rates Since the 1990s
Crime rates in the United States have shown a significant decline since the 1990s. This phenomenon has been subject to various plausible explanations by criminologists. While there are several factors that have contributed to this trend, here are three main factors that are often discussed:
The aging of the baby boomer generation is frequently mentioned, with the suggestion that as the population gets older, there are fewer individuals in the 'prime criminal age-cohort (15-30 years old)', leading to a natural decline in the crime rates.
Improvements in the economy and education have also been linked to reductions in crime. Higher levels of education have the potential to create more opportunities and reduce the incentive for criminal behavior.
Changes in policing strategies, such as the implementation of deterrence approaches that increase the cost or probability of getting caught, including the use of technology like body cameras, have been associated with reductions in crime rates.
While the adoption of 'tough on crime' policies and mass incarceration has been credited with reducing crime, this correlation appears weak when looking at the data internationally or considering the experience of countries like Canada.
Furthermore, environmental factors such as the removal of lead from gasoline, and social interventions, including improving neighborhood conditions and targeted educational programming, have shown to contribute to a decline in crime rates. Therefore, the decrease in crime rates is likely a result of a complex interplay of demographic, economic, educational, and policy-related factors.