Governments Are Trying A 1990
United Nations survey revealed that the more highly developed countries spend an
average of 2 to 3 percent of their annual budgets on crime control, while
developing countries spend even more, an average of 9 to 14 percent. Increasing
the size of the police force and providing it with better equipment takes
priority in some localities. But results are mixed. Some Hungarian citizens
complain: "There are never enough policemen to catch the criminals but always
enough to catch traffic violators." Many governments have
recently found it necessary to pass tougher crime laws. For example, since
"kidnapping is on the rise across Latin America," says Time magazine, the
governments there have responded with laws that are "at once vigorous and
ineffectual .... Passing laws is one thing," it admits, "applying them
another." It is estimated that in Britain more than 100,000
neighborhood watch schemes, covering at least four million homes, existed in
1992. Similar programs were implemented in Australia in the mid -1980’s. Their
aim, says the Australian Institute of Criminology, is to reduce crime "by
improving citizens’ awareness about public safety, by improving residents’
attitudes and behaviour in reporting crime and suspicious events in the
neighbourhood and by reducing vulnerability to crime with the help of property
identification and installation of effective security devices."
Closed-circuit television is used in some places to link police stations
with commercial premises. Video cameras are used by police, banks, and stores as
a crime deterrent or as a tool for identifying lawbreakers. In
Nigeria the police have checkpoints on highways in efforts to apprehend robbers
and carjackers. The government has set up a task force on trade malpractices to
combat fraud. Policecommunity relations committees made up of community leaders
inform the police of criminal activity and people of questionable
character. Visitors to the Philippines note that homes are
generally not left unattended and that many people have watchdogs. Businessmen
employ private security guards to protect their businesses. Anti-theft devices
for cars sell well. People who can afford to do so withdraw to tightly secured
subdivisions or condominiums. The London newspaper
The Independent commented: "As confidence in the rule of law falls, citizens are
organising the defence of their own communities in increasing numbers." And more
and more people are arming themselves. In the United States, for example, it is
estimated that every second household owns at least one gun.
Governments are constantly developing new methods of combating crime. But
V. Vsevolodov, of the Academy of Home Affairs in Ukraine, points out that
according to UN sources, so many gifted people are finding "unique methods of
carrying on criminal activity" that "the training of law enforcement personnel"
cannot keep up. Clever criminals funnel huge sums of money back into businesses
and social services, merging with society and "gaining for themselves high
positions in society." What is the main reason for citizens to take in hand the defence of themselves______
A.There are not enough policemen. B.They do not trust the’ rule of law. C.The police force is inefficient. D.Security devices do not work.