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General Overview of Citizen Security In New York City
New York City illustrates the positive results brought, in party, by public security initiatives. Since 1990 all types of crime declined at a minimum rate of 58 percent. Grand Larceny Auto and Grand Larceny are the crimes most declined, at 90.9 percent and 82.2 percent, respectively. Although there has been decline in all boroughs, crime rates are very different in each borough. The most dangerous borough, from 2003 to 2005, measured in homicide rates, was Brooklyn. Homicide rates are worrying and serve as a good measure for the level of danger in a region, but, according to Cityrating, most criminal activities in New York City are property crime and not violent crime.
Public Security, in New York City, is approached holistically, based on prevention, prosecution and victim assistance. In the real of prevention, awareness is the preferred type of initiative. Examples are the New York State and the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and Information on how to safeguard your house / apartment and personal safety tips, which are readily available. The New York Police Department houses many of the government-led prevention initiatives. This signals a change in how the role of the police. They are no longer solely the “on the ground” arm of the prosecution chain. Their role of protectors of society has expanded to helping people help themselves by teaching them how to avoid and recognize a crime.
Despite many prevention initiatives, these efforts are not
reflected in the city budget. On domestic violence, for example, the city
of New York spent only 2 million – the third highest expenditure – compared
to Enforcement – the second highest – at, 44 million. Victim’s Assistance,
however, came in first, reflecting its policy priority and the high costs of
medical service in the United States.
Transparency in the legal system
is another factor contributing to an improved public security. New York City laws are
easily accessible, permitting citizens to be informed of their rights and
obligations. Legal transparency enhances the sensation of security and of
predictability. The citizen knows they will be respected or receive reparations,
if not.
The New York City Independent Budget Office continuously evaluates different programs and activities in the New York City government. Due to constant and publicly available performance evaluations, government has become more aware and more responsive to its inefficiency. When evaluating the Public Security bureaucracy the Independent Budget Office found that the cost of juvenile justice has risen by $50 million, 24 percent, in five years despite a decline in juvenile arrests. Another finding is that alternative justice programs for juveniles will save the city a projected $43 million dollars by 2010.
The Public Security strategy in New York City has remained somewhat similar. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, elected in 1994, introduced a zero-tolerance program which determined that laws would be enforced on all crimes, even the smaller ones. Part o his zero-tolerance program, that continues to this day with a focus on combatting terrorism, is the "broken windows" policy. This policy argues that small oddities, when let go, can become big problems - one broken window in a building will encourage vandals to break more. A building full of broken windows invites squatters and offers an ideal place for drug dealers to deal.
In this public security overview, you will find information on the policies and initiatives that led New York city in this transition from dangerous city to safest large city in the country[1].
[1]List of Mayors in New York City - see Mayor Giuliani's Bio.
Last Update: October, 2008