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Strong economy
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Wealthy offenders commit less crime
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Concealed weapons laws
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More defensive guns, less crime
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Capital punishment
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More death penalty deterred crime
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Gun control laws
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Less guns, less crime
|
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Rising prison population
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Incapacitation and deterrence reduce crime
|
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Policing strategies
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Policing focused on crime problems (Compstat, POP)
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More police
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More police detected and deterred crime
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Legalization of abortion
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More abortion since 1973, less offenders by 1990s
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Immigration
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Immigrants commit less crime, so crime fell as immigration rose
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Consumer confidence
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Wealthy buy less from stolen goods markets
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Waning crack market
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2nd generation youth deterred by violence and prison for elders
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Childhood lead
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Lead poisoning of children made them adolescent criminals
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Changing demographics
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Aging population means relatively less young offenders
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Civilizing process
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Social institutions more legitimate (1960s-80s = age of protest)
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Improved security
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Improved security, reduced crime opportunities
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