Serious Violence -- Patterns of Homicide and Assault in America -- 1st Edition

Violence is a critical social problem in the United States, magnified by an unprecedented escalation in drug-related injuries and deaths. Yet no coherent public policy has been put in place to tackle this serious problem. Adults and children are drawn into the drug trade and are frequently victims and offenders in the high-stakes drug wars. But drug-related violence is only part of the story; the United States has an exceptionally high level of violence, so high that it sets the nation apart from other developed countries. This book brings the spatial ecology of homicide and assault into sharp focus, providing a fresh perspective on patterns of related criminal behaviors traditionally regarded as discrete. Key topics discussed include background, rationale, and plan of attack; ecological viewpoint; crime classifications; regional patterns of homicide; perceptual dimensions of punishment and seriousness of crime; homicide in cities; assault environments; drugs and violence; and public policy in spatial context. Although there is general agreement between the public and policymakers that a major violence problem exists, there is utter confusion when it comes to "what to do about it." This text challenges policymakers to develop a meaningful response to the crucial need for a viable solution.