"Studies consistently indicate that strengthening social safety nets—including public welfare, unemployment insurance, and housing assistance—significantly reduces crime rates, particularly for property and income-generating crimes. Research suggests that, rather than solely relying on punitive measures, providing economic stability and basic resources is a highly effective, and sometimes more cost-effective, method of preventing crime. Key Findings from Research: Impact of Welfare and Cash Benefits: Studies show that when individuals have access to consistent income through welfare programs, crime rates, particularly robbery and theft, decline. A study found that the removal of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) increased the number of criminal charges a person faced by 20%. Income-Generating Crimes: Evidence suggests a strong link between poverty and income-driven crimes, such as robbery, burglary, and theft. When financial support is removed or decreased, these specific crimes often increase, as individuals struggle to meet basic needs. Childhood and Long-Term Effects: Safety nets have a "preventive" effect on crime by offering stability to families and children, which reduces long-term involvement in the criminal justice system. Housing Stability: Programs that provide stable, affordable housing have been shown to significantly decrease crime in low-income neighborhoods. For example, access to housing for formerly unhoused people was associated with an 80% reduction in the probability of committing a crime. Return on Investment: Research suggests that the costs of incarceration and enforcement often exceed the costs of providing welfare benefits, meaning that social safety nets can provide a "crime prevention dividend" for taxpayers. Community Nonprofits: A study found that increasing the number of community nonprofits, which provide support services, led to a 12% reduction in the homicide rate and a 10% reduction in the violent crime rate in surveyed cities. Key Social Safety Net Mechanisms: Food Stamps and Cash Welfare: These help to "smooth" income over the month, reducing the pressure to turn to crime as funds run low. Unemployment Benefits: Research indicates that more generous unemployment benefits are associated with lower homicide rates. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Providing access to these services helps stabilize individuals and reduces crime. In summary, the evidence indicates that expanding social safety nets is a highly effective, proactive approach to crime reduction that addresses the root causes of crime, rather than just its symptoms. "
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I Agree that the solution isn't bandaids of housing assistance and food stamps. Does anyone else see how we are normalizing that it's not affordable to LIVE. IN AMERICA?? Im not referring to disabled, ,unemployed, or other financial hardships. I'm referring to working people, or families with 2 incomes who cant honestly make ends meet and are DIRECTED to get government assistance to make it. We are encouraged to get in that line where we can stay controlled. I hate that . The economy is broken if you can't work and pay your bills without government assistance, even if you want to..
@EmilyEdith The opening part of your statement I agree with completely. However, I think we differ in where America is living beyond its means. If a couple wish to both work hard and acquire a better living standard I am all in favour of that. My own son and his wife were never the kid raising type, and made the conscious choice to work, save and buy properties. And they have been very successful at that. But these properties are all income earners for them. Not debt. So my question is. Just how many supercarriers and nuclear submarines does America really need? And does it have any business dealing with regime change in countries across the world??😷
