Applying the model of rational crime Aggregate

Applying the model of rational crime

Aggregate crime curve

Criminal’s optimal number of crimes - review

and many other factors considered as direct costs of crime - opportunity cost of reputation, public shame (community reputation enhancing strategies – cultural movements such Black Pride movements, etc. ) (negative strategies – drunk driving, smoking) - guilt, morality, private shame – family values, moral education, churches, etc.

3. Increase f(x), the punishment if caught (shifts expected punishment curve upward) - larger fines, longer sentences, etc. - In general this requires more resources (prisons, etc. ) since fines are not enough in most cases (poor criminals, really big crimes).

More police should lead to less crime but so do more efficient courts (quicker and more certain conviction) and longer prison sentences. What does the above model imply about the allocation of a fixed criminal/justice budget across police, courts and prison? Why is it that local police forces apparently ‘waste’ their time on public education programs encouraging ‘crime prevention’ for breaking and entering, theft from autos, muggings, etc. but when one of these crimes actually occurs they don’t ‘really do much’?

Crimes of passion, insane, drunk, drugged Such crimes fall outside our model Are criminals rational amoral people? I HOPE SO!