The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the various restrictions to combat its spread have disrupted everyone’s life, including criminals.
There has been both a positive and negative impact.
The call from authorities to practice social distancing and stay indoors and fear of being infected has made criminals shift their focus. They have prioritized their health over committing crimes. Over six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor crimes like sexual offenses, traffic offenses, burglaries, aggravated assaults, murder, and robberies have declined.
However, crimes committed within the home like homicides, domestic violence, and online fraud have increased.
Understanding the decrease of crime during COVID-19
Crime depends on motivation, opportunity, and the absence of a witness.
As many Americans are working remotely, restricting travel and commutes, and rarely venture into restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, criminals don’t have many opportunities to commit crimes.
As many people are also hunkered in their houses, the number of witnesses rises, making burglaries less desirable.
In general, criminals don’t have opportunities to commit crimes, and this has led to over 25 cities recording over 23% decrease in robbery, rape, and aggravated assault.
On the other hand, the motivation for crime has increased as unemployment and financial constraints have dramatically increased.
As businesses have shut down, the applications of unemployment benefits have skyrocketed. It means sooner or later, the government will reduce the number of handouts to cater to increasing unemployment benefits. A lack of income stability and desperation will increase motivation to commit the crime.
Crime Statistics
Cities like Boston, Washington D.C, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and San Francisco reported the highest drop in robbery, rape, and aggravated assaults with San Francisco having a 33% drop, New York City, 25%, and Los Angeles, 25%.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes have declined in most cities.
This happened due to strict lockdown measures and since drug crimes are measured by arrest and not citizen reports. Additionally, due to the pandemic, the police don’t have proactive practices and tactics that result in drug discovery and arrests.
Property Crime
Overall, property crimes have declined as people are spending a lot of time at home, with Philadelphia recording the most significant decline.
But as residential burglaries fell, commercial burglaries rose. The absence of people on commercial properties has led to some criminals seizing the opportunity.
Car Crimes
Lack of commercial transport has seen an increase in car theft in cities like Denver, Philadelphia, Austin, and Los Angeles. However, some cities such as Baltimore recorded a significant decrease.
As people follow the new guidelines and stay indoors, many have left their cars parked on the street and parking lots without any supervision or frequent checking. We also have fewer people on foot and outside to observe as the theft takes place.
Car theft has become an attractive target for criminals. For example, Los Angeles reported a 57.7% increase in car theft, with over 5,744 vehicles stolen between April- and June.
Violent Crimes
Overall, violent crimes dropped by 15%, but shootings and homicides have remained stagnant.
Since violent crime and sexual assaults are mostly a crime of opportunity, with fewer people up and about, it has reduced drastically.
However, homicides and shootings have increased. This can be attributed to mental breakdowns aggravated by fear, stress and isolation, loss of jobs, and easier access to guns.
Anything that increases frustration and creates a hardship on people becomes a trigger for crime.
Domestic Violence
Illness, financial stress, increased anxiety, community resource scarcity, idleness, and growing unemployment have set the perfect stage for increased domestic violence.
Many victims are isolated in their violent homes, and with the social and environmental factors of the pandemic adding to tension and stress in relationships, domestic violence has sky-rocketed.
Abusers isolated at home may experience increased drug or alcohol abuse and are more likely to commit domestic violence on their spouses, kids, and vulnerable relatives.
Additionally, the lack of access to family, resources, and friend and work networks has also contributed to a surge in domestic abuse.
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Online crimes and scams
Social distancing and the inability to leave the home have increased people’s dependence on technology, leading to a rise in online crimes and fraud.
Scammers have taken advantage of COVID-19 to offer fake cash-in-advance online shops, protection, fake cures and vaccines, and shopping trips. They pitch such tactics to swindle unknowing citizens, especially to older residents.
Conclusion
The fear of getting infected with coronavirus has criminals focusing on staying alive thus reducing crime rates. However, economic desperation has had a negative impact on many, with increased rates in certain categories including child abuse, domestic violence, online crimes, and car thefts.
As the effects of COVID-19 continue to impact our lives, we must adapt accordingly and avoid becoming victims of crime, but, overall, Americans have enjoyed increased safety and quality of life without fear of ordinary crime.
