Will Crime Increase in This Economy?

The current recession that has taken hold of our country is afflicting every area of our lives. I have no doubt that some of you reading this blog have recently lost your job or are working with the threat that the pink slip may come at any time. If not, I imagine you know someone who is facing unemployment for the first time. The values of our homes are declining, vacations are being canceled, and those who are close to retirement are wondering if a few more years of work will be required to make up for the recent loss in the stock market. One other possible side effect during these desperate times is a rise in crime rates, particularly in our cities.

After a decade decline in violent crime, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Boston and Pittsburgh all saw an increase in murders in 2008. Even those guilty of much less serious crimes, such as squeegee cleaners, panhandlers, and illegal street vendors are becoming more frequent sights in cities like New York. However, criminologists are split as to whether or not there is any real connection between a faltering economy and a spike in crime. UCLA criminal justice professor Eric Monkkonen recently stated, "This recession could see a crime wave or could not see a crime wave. It could promote crime, but it could be 15 years from now." On the other hand, Roger Lane, a Haverford College professor, believes that, "In a short period of time we may see levels of desperation that we have not seen in a long time.” I suppose that we will have to wait and see if more people turn to criminal activity as a result of economic pressures. What do you think? Will more of our fellow citizens break the law to make ends meet if our current problems continue for long?


The criminals featured in my new book, Compulsion, are not the type to be influenced by the state of the economy. They are serial killers who are driven by the thrill of violence and death. Whether our country is thriving during an economic boom or looking at double-digit unemployment, these men will be terrorizing our neighborhoods and the protagonist Emily Stone will be needed to track them down and bring them to justice.

Please click here to purchase Compulsion.

I look forward to hearing what you think!