Homicide Clearance Rates in Decline - Why?

"Get used to it, I ask WHY a lot." -Professor Kim D

   I have read the first 2 chapters of "Mind Hunter" and it is fascinating.  One of the things that really struck me was the fact that the Homicide Clearance Rate has been in decline since the 1960's.  Incredible, given all the advanced 'scientific and technological tools' available today.  The book cites the changing nature of violent crime as a possible factor.  In the past most violent crime occurred between people who knew one another, but today we see more violence between strangers.  Additionally, these crimes seem to lack logical motives.

   "Mind Hunter" was published in 1995, nearly 20 years ago, so I wanted to see if these stats were still true.  I found this article on the Bureau of Justice Administration https://www.bja.gov/Programs/BJAHomicideProgram.pdf  which states that in 1965 the rate stood at 91%, but since 1990 it has never exceeded 67%.  Below you can see the stats for 2012.  Wow, not exactly good news.  

Photo from the FBI web site:  http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/clearances

  If you want to read more about why the Clearance Rates have declined, you may want to read this article from the National Institute of Justice; "Clearing Up Homicide Clearance Rates".  https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/jr000243b.pdf

 

   

Remembering Memorial Day

Hope everyone enjoyed Memorial Day, but I also hope that we all remember the true meaning of the day.

Thank you to all our veterans, especially those who gave all.

Weeds, Dandelions, Please the Bees

Would you leave weeds in your lawn to save the bees???

Photo from Urban Farm Magazine Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152399514750132&set=pb.106494095131.-2207520000.1401074017.&type=3&theater

   
I was reading an old Urban Farm Magazine (Fall 2010) and I came across something very interesting that changed my perspective.  The article was "Bee Flys Into a Bar" by Cherie Langlois and there was an interesting sidebar titled, "Save the Bees".  Of particular interest was one paragraph was headed with 'Be Kind to Weeds' - really?  Weeds drive me crazy.  On my lawn, in my garden, I am always trying to figure out ways to keep them out.  However; this quote by beekeeper Michael Bush changed everything for me:

   "When bees look out over a yard full of nothing but grass, they see a desert with nothing to eat.  When they find a yard dotted with clover, dandelions and other weeds, they see food to forage"

   I started watching bees and yes, they certainly do like dandelions and clover very much.  I can't look at those weeds in my yard anymore with the same disdain, and I actually would feel guilty getting rid of them all.  So, now I have a new perspective on weeds, and you know what?  It saves me a lot of work and maybe I'll save some bees too. 

See things differently.  Look at something from a different perspective.

#MIBP3

"Mind Hunter" - First on the List of 28

    Finding my old textbook, "Criminology Today" led me to stumble upon this book, "Mind Hunter" by John Douglas. John Douglas is a former FBI Agent who is best known for his work in the Behavioral Science Unit as a Criminal Profiler.  Mr. Douglas was the model for the character Agent Jack Crawford in "Silence of the Lambs"  
   I have had the book "Mind Hunter" for a couple of years, but have never read it, it will now be book #1 on my list of 28 books to read for my 'Equivalent Masters Degree'.  I admit I am looking forward to reading this book as Behavioral Science and Criminal Profiling interest me a great deal.  However; it is a little scary thinking about entering into the deep darkness of the minds of serial killers.

See where the journey takes me.

#MIBP3

Begin the Journey at the Beginning

   I'm still working on my book list for my 'equivalency' Masters Degree, but I dug out my Criminology textbook from my undergraduate program.  I'm thinking of using this book as a reference, I don't think it would be fair to use this as one of my 28 books.  The textbook that was used in my Criminology class was "Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction" - 3rd Edition by Frank Schmalleger. 
   I have posted a link to the current edition of "Criminology Today" and as you can see they are up  to the 8th Edition of this book.  The "My CrimeKit" activities sound interesting, and I would love to take a look at the new edition to see the changes and compare.  I told you I was a Criminal Justice Geek  :^)  

Begining my journey.

#MIBP3

Bucket List? No! Life List! Yes!

Recently a friend was telling me that he had a Bucket List, and heasked me if I had one.  I don't.  My friend said I should make one, and I said that I would.  However; the more I thought about it, the more I thought -  No Bucket List!  Why?  Because to me that seems like I am kind of embracing the end of life and am trying to 'beat the clock' with my Bucket List. I decided that I am going to make a list, but I am calling it my Life List so I can embrace LIFE and the journey.  How about you?  Do you have a Bucket List or a Life List?

Working on my Life List and looking forward to the journey!

#MIBP3 

Wizard of OZ, Honorary Degrees - Just Do It Kim

Watch Scarecrow get his brain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxrlcLktcxU

WOW..."but they have one thing you haven't got - a Diploma".  

   Now if I could just get the Wizard of OZ to give me a Masters Degree.  Or maybe I could get some University to bestow an Honorary Degree on me.  
   I shouldn't look for the easy way out, I should just buckle down, get to work and do it.  I need to start making my 28 book list and start to read my first book on Criminology.  In the end I'll be glad I did the work because I'll have learned something and I am determined to enjoy the journey.

Come along and join the journey with me.       

#MIBP3

Homeland Security? Emergency Management?

NY State Police Academy - Albany, NY  Picture from: https://www.troopers.ny.gov/Academy/

    
Criminal Justice is my major, but that is too broad.  I have to decide on a program.  When I was at the NY State Police Academy and we were learning how to write a good report we were told to always make sure the report contained: WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE.  Those were the facts that all reports needed to include, if further inquiry was necessary the Investigator would follow up looking for HOW and maybe WHY.  Throughout my career I always wanted to know WHY.  From the University to the Courts to Probation, I always wanted to know WHY. WHY would someone commit a crime?  WHY would someone take illegal drugs?  WHY would someone join a gang? 
  While I have an interest in many Criminal Justice topics the choice is obvious - Criminology.  Criminology will help me  to see/understand the WHY and if you can find the WHY maybe you can prevent, rehabilitate, change or control. 

  Next decision - which 28 books to read?

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Animals, the Connection Begins at Home

              No these were not my pets, even dad would have said no to these.

Jabari and Kivuli at the Detroit Zoo

 I am an animal lover.  I have always had pets - lots of pets.  Thanks dad.  When mom said 'NO', you always said 'YES'.  In fairness to mom, maybe a couple of times 'NO' was the better answer.  Well, it all eventually worked out OK. 
   We certainly know how to use animals for food, experimentation and have longed use them to perform certain tasks.  We often exploit animals for our entertainment. They call you a 'pet owner', but I don't necessarily like that term.  It makes me think about when people say, 'God gave us dominion over the animals'.  OK, but that means we should be 'Good Stewards' and respect what was given to us.  Having pets taught me empathy, unconditional love, and responsibility.  There is definitely  psychological and physiological aspects of that 'Human-Animal Bond' that we are only starting to really explore and understand the dynamics and capabilities of.  If my pets could teach me empathy, unconditional love and responsibility then they can do the same and more for others. 

Join me on the journey.

#MIBP3 

Watch and see if this makes you smile.  :)

Criminal Justice Professor - NOT Qualified

Fraternal Order of Court Officers - New York State Courts

The bulk of my work life has been in Law Enforcement and I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  My dream was to teach Criminal Justice in retirement, to trade Officer Kim for Professor Kim.  Sometimes dreams don't come true, and for me that has been the case.  Acting on faulty information I relocated to Michigan believing that I was qualified to teach in Community Colleges with my Law Enforcement experience and Bachelors Degree. I would soon find out that a Masters Degree was required, but shame on me for not researching this better before I moved.         
   Wait...someone with NO Law Enforcement experience, but holding a Masters Degree is more qualified to teach Criminal Justice at a Community College than someone with 20 years experience, someone who has attended 2 Academies and who also holds a Bachelors Degree?  Whatever, it is not my call to make.  Would I like to have a Masters Degree?  Hell yeah, I'd even like to have a PhD, but that does not quite fit in with my current finances.  Disappointed I would work at a couple of security jobs, most notably at the Zoo (love those animals) and even did a stint with Probation.  All good, you can always learn something from whatever you do.  
   Living in Michigan we are blessed to have Michigan Works and I routinely attend classes at the Ferndale Career Center.  In a recent class; "Navigating Encore Careers and Mid-Life Career Changes" I was intrigued by a statement that it was thought that reading 28 books on a subject was equal to a Masters Degree.  Now I know that I won't actually get a Masters Degree, but I'm going to do it to prove something to myself and see where this takes me.    

Join me on the journey.  
#MIBP3 

State University of New York Public Safety