Encyclopedia of Street Crime in America - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 141299957X ISBN 13: 9781412999571

Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2013

Synopsis

Anyone living or working in a city has feared or experienced street crime at one time or another; whether it be a mugging, purse snatching, or a more violent crime. In the U.S., street crime has recently hovered near historic lows; hence, the declaration of certain analysts that street life in America has never been safer. But is it really? Street crime has changed over past decades, especially with the advent of surveillance cameras in public places―the territory of the street criminal―but at the same time, criminals have found ways to adapt. This encyclopedic reference focuses primarily on urban lifestyle and its associated crimes, ranging from burglary to drug peddling to murder to new, more sophisticated forms of street crime and scams. This traditional A-to-Z reference has significant coverage of police and courts and other criminal justice sub-disciplines while also featuring thematic articles on the sociology of street crime.

Features & Benefits:

• 175 signed entries within a single volume in print and electronic formats provide in-depth coverage to the topic of street crime in America.
• Cross-References and Suggestions for Further Readings guide readers to additional resources.
• Entries are supported by vivid photos and illustrations to better bring the material alive.
• A thematic Reader′s Guide groups related entries by broad topic areas and, within the electronic version, combines with Cross-References and a detailed Index for convenient search-and-browse capabilities.
• A Chronology provides readers with a historical perspective of street crime in America.
• Appendices provide sources of data and statistics, annotated to highlight their relevance.

 

About this title

About the Author

Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D. is an Professor, School of Criminal Justice, and a Research Fellow at the Center for Comparative and International Law at the University of Baltimore. He has conducted research, written, and lectured on national security, political violence, political crime, policing, and corrections for over fifteen years. His work has appeared in many academic journals and books, as well as articles in popular magazines. He is the author of Making News of Police Violence (Praeger, 2000), co-author (with Stephen C. Richards) of Behind Bars: Surviving Prison (Macmillan, 2002), editor of Controlling State Crime (2nd Ed.) Transaction Books, 2000), Violence in Canada: Sociopolitical Perspectives (Oxford University Press, 1995), Cutting The Edge: Current Perspectives in Radical/Critical Criminology and Criminal Justice (Praeger, 1998), Varieties of State Crime and its Control (Criminal Justice Press, 1999), and the coeditor (with Stephen C. Richards) of Convict Criminology (Wadsworth, 2002). In 1986 Ross was the lead expert witness for the Senate of Canada's Special Committee on Terrorism and Public Safety. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Colorado and was a Social Science Analyst with the National Institute of Justice, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice before coming to the University of Baltimore.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Although street crime affects cities, communities, and families across the country, it is a topic generally not given exclusive coverage in criminology or criminal-justice reference works or textbooks. Encyclopedia of Street Crime in America is unique in that it focuses solely on the various aspects of street crime, providing comprehensive coverage of such topics as well-known criminal cases, types of crimes and perpetrators, law-enforcement and other governmental and community-based criminal-justice agencies, notable politicians, legislation and initiatives, crime-prevention strategies, and criminology theory. The detailed, up-to-date entries give historical and statistical information, real-life examples, pros and cons, public reaction, and the state of the topic today. Each entry contains a see also section, directing readers to related topics, and a bibliography for further reading. The volume also contains additional information to aid in utilizing the volume effectively and understanding the history and complexities of street crime. The traditional A–Z entry list is supplemented by a “Reader’s Guide,” which organizes entries by broad theme, and an accurate, detailed index with cross-referencing. A chronology highlighting major events and factors affecting street crime from 1630 to the present day; a glossary defining street-crime-related terms that are heavily used in the media and popular culture; and an appendix that illustrates and interprets population changes, crime data, and statistics from 25 of the largest U.S. cities provide context and a historical perspective. Finally, a resource guide lists relevant books, journals, and websites for further research. Encyclopedia of Street Crime in America provides complete, current coverage of a unique and relevant topic. Not only is the volume an invaluable resource for students of sociology, psychology, criminology, criminal justice, and political science but it contains interesting and useful information on a topic that affects us daily, making this volume a great addition to public and university libraries. --Kaela Casey

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 141299957X
• ISBN 13: 9781412999571
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 576
• Editor: Ross Jeffrey Ian