Taking a look at the most recently available data from UCRs (Uniform Crime Reports) for the state of Kansas, which is from 2008, one statistic stands out among all others: the striking frequency of property crimes compared to all other crimes. The only crime that came close in quantity was larceny, barely 2/3 as common as property crimes. Most other crimes were at moderate levels, with the lowest being murder (113), rape (1,190) and burglary (1,684). Figures were generally lower in 2008 than in 2007, but typically by only a small margin. Although a statistic for 2008 was not available, one number that attracts attention was that in both 2006 and 2007, Kansas was ranked 6th-highest for incidents of rape per 100,000 people.
In analyzing the UCR data, some questions could be asked to help gain further insight:
- The drop in frequency of property crimes from 2007 to 2008 was rather significant. Why did this happen?
- Larceny was the second most common crime in Kansas in 2008. What items were being stolen most often?
- Why might Kansas have a higher rate of rape relative to other states?
If NCVS data from the state of Kansas were analyzed, the following questions could be asked:
- Were the trends of high rates of property crimes and larceny reflected in NCVS data?
- Could the decrease in property crimes from 2007 to 2008 be explained by people not reporting the crimes?
- Of the victims of property crimes, is there a common profile that might explain why they were victimized?
Research questions that could be asked regarding self-report data include:
- Was the data accurate compared to the UCR data? What about the NCVS data?
- Property crimes were the most common type of crime in Kansas. How many people admitted to committing property crimes?
- How many of the criminals were repeat offenders?
Associated Press (2009, September 14). Dumpster Love Broken Up by Theives. Action News KSHB-TV.
In this article, a couple went into a dumpster to have an "intimate moment" around 6 PM. Soon after, they were robbed at knife point by two suspects. Their shoes, jewelry, and the man's wallet were later found and returned (Press, 2009) [3].
The theory this crime most relates to is the theory of victimization. The victims put themselves (foolishly) in a vulnerable position, making it easy for the criminals to find them and rob them. If they had not been in a secluded place with no protection or help around them, they probably would not have been the victim of this crime. In the future, the victimized couple should probably find a safer place, such as a bed and breakfast, for their intimate moments. Criminals could be lurking in dark alleys and around every dumpster. The best way to prevent being a victim, according to the Victimization Theory, is to not put oneself in a bad or dangerous situation in the first place.
Growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, one tends to believe everything is as commonplace as things would happen here. Las Vegas thrives on tourism and what better way to draw in the crowds than the casinos along the Strip.
Times are difficult, though, and in this economy, fewer and fewer people are traveling to enjoy the leisure that is Las Vegas. That's not to say that it still is not pulling in a decent amount of cash. In 2008, the casinos along the Strip took in roughly $25,000,000,000 USD during a major slump. Year after year, the state of Nevada gets a bulk about of funding from gambling taxes. This income is seldom seen elsewhere across the United States.
This is not to say that other states don't have their own means of obtaining funds to better themselves and their country. Kansas in particular has one of the largest farm-driven economies in the nation, hosting over 65,000 farms (Parker, 2009) [4]. They provide a great service to the nation with their crops. It's a noteworthy (please don't be offended, Kansas) self-sacrifice. The land is vast and unemployment has increased in the past year - legalization of gambling may be a great kick start. The state's motto is Ad Astra per Aspera, Latin for "To the stars with difficulty" and that's just what Kansas is doing. They're working harder than other states just to get the same results. Kansas's Code 21-4302 et seq.; 74-8801 et seq. should be edited to allow commercial gambling (Reuters, 2009) [5]. The state only allows gambling under two different pretenses:
- That all gambling must be hosted by a non-profit organization and it must be based on a test of skill (strength, speed, intelligences, and other traits disregarding luck).
- It is illegal except in accordance with Indian tribal gaming statutes.
We realize that gambling is controversial, but not too long ago the only state in the union that allowed commercial gambling was Nevada. Now, it is a topic of debate among several states who are considering the switch and others have already legalized it. Kansas should join in the fray instead of abiding by William Allen White's old quote, "Kansas is a state of the Union, but it is also a state of mind, a neurotic condition, a psychological phase, a symptom, indeed, something undreamed of in your philosophy, an inferiority complex against the tricks and manners of plutocracy - social, political and economic." The ban on commercial gambling should be overturned.
As for laws that Kansas should add, there is a saying, "The law paces itself slower in the race against technology." One surprising fact about Kansas is the fact their laws do not prohibit the use or cell phones in any manner while driving for full-fledged drivers. I wouldn't say this is because they haven't gotten to the point of discussion or barring it yet like "this is brand new news to them" since it had already been discussed, debated and ruled upon.
The laws of Kansas prohibit novice drivers, or by definition anybody under the age of 20 from using a cell phone for talking, texting or any application while they are currently driving. Anybody over the age of 20 is in the clear and may not be pulled over, cited or charged for cell phone usage (GHSA ,2009) [6].
The scary thing is according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, commercial drivers in Kansas are allowed to use cell phones freely. That's right, truck drivers and school bus drivers are both welcome to pull out their iPhones and play with all the latest apps. Pardon the cliche, but
(Copyright The Simpsons)
Considering the amount of publicized commercial drivers getting into accidents in the media (celebrated cases if you will) like the train accident on October 2, 2008, this is just shocking. The train conductor had been found texting moments before the train's deadly impact. This completely preventable accident ended up killing twenty-five people and injured over one hundred others. It was deemed one of the worst train crashes in history (Chatterjee, 2008) [7].
One of the authors of this blog has had personal experience with cell phone-related accidents. The first occasion was when he unfortunately drove into a light post while attempting to dial a number. $2300USD later, he learned his lesson. The other instance was when he was attempting to make a left turn at a light and stopped in the middle of the street to allow traffic to pass. A young lady behind him had saw him advance and assumed he left when she was texting, and ended up pushing him into oncoming traffic.
According to the FOX news network back in 1997 (yes, that far back when cell phones in Japan were talking about how they were getting cameras next year), "Younger and older drivers with a cell phone faced essentially the same risk" [8] (Bluejay, 1997) There has been no change in their publishing since then and instead have only furthered to push that using a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk. According to LiveJournal, accidents involving cell phones resulted in 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries as well each year in the U.S. (Roy Brit, 2005) [9].
This is as controversial as gambling. Would banning cell phone usage when driving make a politician Pro-Not Dying or Seriously Injuring Themselves, Their Family or Others Citizens and force them to drop out from re-election or further any political campaign? Ban cell phones in Kansas.
[1] The Disaster Center (2009). Kansas Crime Rates 1960 - 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from Disaster Center Website: http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/kncrime.htm
[2] Wild Nature Images. Panoramic Photo of the Las Vegas Strip. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from Wild Nature Images Website: http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Las%20Vegas%20Pano.htm
[3] Associated Press (2009, September 14). Dumpster Love Broken Up by Thieves. ABC News, Retrieved September 15, 2009, from NBC Website: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/content/news/kansas/story/Dumpster-Love-Broken-Up-by-Thieves/g84Bpy0O6Uib-4KTB9Ho1w.cspx
[4] Parker TP (2009). Data Sets. Economic Research Service. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from http://www.ers.usda.gov/stateFacts/KS.htm
[5] Reuters TR (2009). Kansas Gambling Laws. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from FindLaw Website http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/gambling/kansas/
[6] Governors Highway Safety Association (2009). Cell Phone Driving Laws. Retrieved September 14, 2009, from Governors Highway Safety Association Website: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
[7] Chatterjee, SC (2008, October 02). Train Engineer Was Texting Just Before California Crash. Retrieved September 14, 2009, from Reuters Website: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0152835520081002
[8] Bluejay, MB (1997, February 13). Cell Phones: As Dangerous As Driving Drunk. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from Bicycle Universe Website: http://bicycleuniverse.info/cars/cellphones.html
[9] Roy Brit, RBB (2005, February 01). Drivers on Cell Phones Kill Thousands, Snarl Traffic. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from LiveScience Website: http://www.livescience.com/technology/050201_cell_danger.html
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