The crime problem in the United States has historically been misstated
and exaggerated by bureaucrats and politicians. The intentions behind
these overstatements vary within each context but a common thread
emerges upon closer examination. As in any capitalist society, money
and material possession are the primary motivation that fuels society
and people. It could be argued that FBI director Louis Freeh made his
comments to the National Press Club in 1994 out of genuine concern for
the American people, but realistically the statement was made in an
effort to gather support and increase funding for law enforcement.
Following this statement and from increased pressure from politicians,
the Federal Crime Bill was ratified, and authorized the spending of
thirty billion dollars, primarily towards more police officers and
prisons. It also included many new punitive sanctions and the
expansion of the death penalty to more than fifty federal crimes.
Louis Freeh's politically correct and unapprised proclamation takes an
exceptionally narrow view of crime and its curtailment. Freeh chooses
to focus on the media, statistics, and ultimately public opinion as
his justification for increased funding. However he fails to realize
the influence of the media and statistics in molding public opinion
and the difference between public opinion and reality. Existing
individualistic theories such as rational choice theory help reinforce
Freeh's statement. The overstated crime problem, backed by a
capitalistic media and misinterpreted statistics has created a
punitive crime policy, which is further supported by individualistic
theories of crime. In this paper I will show how misreported
statistics and media focus on violent crimes shapes public opinion.
Then I will go on to demonstrate the role of individualistic theories
in supporting punitive crime control policies. Ultimately I look to
prove that the actions of the media and politicians are centered on
money and how crime is inherent to the American Dream . The media
never has been and probably never will be an accurate source for
criminology or criminal analysis. The sensationalist media depiction
of crime is almost always exaggerated and biased toward violent
and exaggerated by bureaucrats and politicians. The intentions behind
these overstatements vary within each context but a common thread
emerges upon closer examination. As in any capitalist society, money
and material possession are the primary motivation that fuels society
and people. It could be argued that FBI director Louis Freeh made his
comments to the National Press Club in 1994 out of genuine concern for
the American people, but realistically the statement was made in an
effort to gather support and increase funding for law enforcement.
Following this statement and from increased pressure from politicians,
the Federal Crime Bill was ratified, and authorized the spending of
thirty billion dollars, primarily towards more police officers and
prisons. It also included many new punitive sanctions and the
expansion of the death penalty to more than fifty federal crimes.
Louis Freeh's politically correct and unapprised proclamation takes an
exceptionally narrow view of crime and its curtailment. Freeh chooses
to focus on the media, statistics, and ultimately public opinion as
his justification for increased funding. However he fails to realize
the influence of the media and statistics in molding public opinion
and the difference between public opinion and reality. Existing
individualistic theories such as rational choice theory help reinforce
Freeh's statement. The overstated crime problem, backed by a
capitalistic media and misinterpreted statistics has created a
punitive crime policy, which is further supported by individualistic
theories of crime. In this paper I will show how misreported
statistics and media focus on violent crimes shapes public opinion.
Then I will go on to demonstrate the role of individualistic theories
in supporting punitive crime control policies. Ultimately I look to
prove that the actions of the media and politicians are centered on
money and how crime is inherent to the American Dream . The media
never has been and probably never will be an accurate source for
criminology or criminal analysis. The sensationalist media depiction
of crime is almost always exaggerated and biased toward violent