"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. "
From a Google word search: studies crime reduces when social safety nets are put in place
The AI gives over 20 legit sources. Take your pick.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
@JimboSaturn Thanks for pointing that out Jim. Yes, and the Scandanavian countries operate on a Democratic Socialism system - better managed than what we have in Canada, but basically it's the same system. If you give people a "HAND UP" (not a 'hand out'), and an opportunity to use their talents instead of pidgeon-holing them as 'losers' just because they are forced to live in a state of generational poverty - then poor people can move up into the middle class and they do begin to contribute back to society. Unfortunately there are some countries where who your parents are is who you will be - an attitude where Hopelessness begets an "I have nothing to lose" attitude and "IF I'm expected to be a criminal then I may as well be a successful criminal". Too bad because the cost to middle class society is SO immense: We lose some of our own children into that realm; we pay for policing to hold the lid on it; we pay politicians who play both sides of the fence through bribery to perpetuate it. IT'S NO WIN and the reason it goes on is because SOME PEOPLE are stuck on the idea that SOCIALISM is a loss of freedom - it's NOT. I'm Canadian, through my taxes I support people who need support as well as many who are 'playing the system' BUT, the ones I help are more numerous than the greedy/lazy ones. And: I still am able to live comfortably in my own social range, knowing that I have medical care when I need it; I (and everybody) have a Federal pension plan at age 60 or 65 or 70 (my choice) as well as supplemental plans if I'm too poor to subsist on that. Even if I lose all of my savings and home tomorrow - my Canadian government will still provide me with a DECENT standard of living and care. I don't NEED to prove my wealth to be recognized as a Canadian citizen who is just as worthy as one with millions (or billions) of dollars. I can and do visit my Member of Parliament, my Mayor, my Provincial Member of Legislature; I write them giving them suggestions to fix problems; they recognize me on the street.... AND - I'm nobody special - I'm just a citizen as are they, but they choose to help me by standing for elected office and they have my respect for that. And they appreciate my involvement in my community. In the USA - do the politicians mingle with their constituents - their every day working class constituents?
