[quote=temeculaguy][quote=svelte][quote=EconProf]Along these lines….many people wrongly buy into the idea that recessions cause crime. But your cited facts belie that conclusion, as crime rates are thankfully falling most everywhere. The national crime rate was unusually low during the Great Depression of the 1930s.[/quote]

This intrigues me…why do crime rates fall during recessions/depressions? It does seem counter-intuitive.[/quote]

svelte, I dont think Econ was asserting that recessions/depressions cause crime to fall, just that they do not cause it to rise, which people tend to believe. It is logical, just not factual. The last ten years of falling crime rates can mostly be attributed to technology. [/quote]

Well, he said the crime rate was unusually low during the Great Depression, so I think he was saying recessions/depressions cause it to fall.

Maybe folks get out less when they have no money so they have less opportunity to commit crime? I dunno.

But I do agree with your assertion that technology is decreasing crime.

I have this theory that technology creates opportunity for crime, which gets resolved through even better technology.

Example: autos encouraged mobility which probably increased bank robberies, rapes, and obviously auto theft. Technology has now reduced those through security cameras, DNA testing, and Lojack like devices among other things.