Crime: Over the past 3 decades, crime has continued to be a major issue that has attracted huge public concern characterized with discussion and action that are usually unbalanced and not likely to lessen crime rates. The public concern has also been accompanied by political action and major public expenditure to reduce such incidents. Political discussion and actions as well as public expenditure have played a major role in the reduction of crime rates in the recent past. Recent reports have indicated that crime rates have sharply declined despite the lack of consensus on how to deal with criminal activity. Actually, by the beginning of the 20th Century, crime rates had declined to their lowest possible levels in a generation.

The recent declines in crime rates indicate that law enforcement organizations are at important junctures in their initiatives to deal with criminal activity and further reduce crime rates. Despite the increased decline, the public still remains more concerned with crime or criminal activities. According to findings of various reports and surveys, crime continues...

This concern is characterized with widespread fear of criminal activities. Public concern regarding crime is fueled by various factors including response by policy makers, consideration of crime as a societal problem, and individual differences.
Nonetheless, the main cause of increased public concern on crime despite decline in crime rates is media coverage. The media has affected public perception on this issue and contributed to the widespread fear of crime. The media conditions the public's fear of victimization, perceptions of places where offenses are likely to take place, and people stereotyped as normal perpetrators or victims of such incidents. As a result, media coverage perpetuates fear of crime and makes it to become an issue of increased concern to the public.

Crime Reporting:

One of the most important elements in fighting crime and reducing crime rates is crime reporting by the public and/or victims. Despite being an important aspect in fighting crime, many people do not…