Monday, January 16, 2012

Ft Worth Neighborhood Hit by Crime Spree

Fort Worth Neighborhood Hit by Crime Spree: MyFoxDFW.com

10 comments:

  1. It is awful to see that burglaries and car vandalisms are occurring in east Fort Worth and the news certainly presents this incident in their own pessimistic fashion. Exploring Criminal Justice: The Essentials discusses how media, such as the news, affects the public’s perception. It explains that the more television people view, the more troubled people become with the thought and belief that they could be the next victim. It further expands on the increasingly aggressive behavior of viewers, a fact of which I completely agree with. The news commonly dramatizes events in a negative connotation with the desire to entice the audience to pay close attention to these events. However, this comes at a cost of distress. For example, the news’ marvelous closing stated: “News reporter: Fort Worth Police say that they are aware of the crime spree and they have an active investigation. Residents are angry and scared, afraid of what could come next. Mr. Bay Courtney: I guess if I have never carried a gun before, I sure would be looking for one now.” So we have learned that citizens are angry and scared due to the unresolved ongoing “crime spree.” We are told specifically that residents are afraid of what could come next (which could place fear into the audience) and shows a citizen who is ready to get his gun for this situation. I would describe that as overstated. We were not only forewarned, but possibly inclined to be more angry and aggressive about the situation ourselves. As awful as it is, no one was said to be harmed, yet the news is placing fear in people. It is good to be alert, but property crimes should not equate to violent crimes. If a person is burglarizing a home without deadly force to a resident, then no deadly force should be expelled against them.

    I also believe that Durkheim’s view of crime being functional is demonstrated. The citizen’s are concerned about crimes and willing to modify and/or change certain behaviors due to these crimes. Thus, Durkheim’s social change observation has been satisfied. Social change occurs in order for a society to progress and helps the society enact safeguards and rules. To explain further, with the crimes occurring in this specific neighborhood, the news reported that the community is “doing everything they can to stay safe.” The community may take additional safety measures such as monitoring and securing their homes by locking their doors, installing surveillance or alarms, having neighborhood watches more frequently, or keeping valuable items at a bank safe. Others may go to the extreme of loading their guns like Mr. Bay Courtney suggested or getting more dogs to guard their homes as another neighbor stated she did. This community has progressed with safeguards due to the criminal actions of others.

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  2. I feel as though these people should take the precautions they need in order to feel safe. It is a very traumatic experience for instance you could have been in the homes while the robberies were taking place. I would also agree with the statement above when they mention the communities safety and how they can go about doing so. I personally would probably get a dog or install some kind of monitoring device. The community just needs to adjust to the new situation and be prepared for the "next time."

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I agree with that communities have to learn to start sticking together and having each others backs in instances such as these. I think having dogs, alarms or forming neighborhood watches are great ways to keep communities safe. I'm interested as to what area of East Fort Worth this is because I was raised over there and I know a lot of stuff goes down out there that's never even reported and police don't even take seriously, so it's sort of encouraging to see something like this being taken to the news and having attention drawn to it.

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  3. I wonder if this group of burglars are the same that hit my co-workers house in Grapevine. Her home was trashed. They went through all the drawers, the closets and just threw everything around. They left such a huge mess, that my friend doesn't even know everything that has been taken just yet. Very large items were taken and it HAD to be more than one person.

    They showed up around 10:30am, a neighbor saw their truck, but just thought it was one of my friend's kids. The only thing the police know for sure is that it's a burnt orange pickup truck with a very loud muffler.

    It's all too common for us to let our guard down when we have lived in, what is considered, a safe neighborhood and then something like this happens.

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  4. I could say that there was a period of time that my neighborhood was the same. I can say that our whole neighborhood would just be on the watch and just see if anybody looked suspicious. We had to install an alarm system. It really does make everyone traumatized up to the point where they dont want to be the next victim. It would make me mad if someone broke into my house but then again its just stuff that can be replaced. Id rather be thankful that i wasnt at home and safe than being there while the crime is going on.

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  5. It’s very sad to see these types of malicious acts happening right in our very own backyards. It's when we let our guards down or least expects it when it happens. I agree with all the above comments, but really we all need to be our own security surveillance. If we see something that is out of character, we need to call it in and report it, have law officials go by and check it out, it's what they are paid to do. We need to be more cautious of our surroundings and places we go to, if you are being followed or even walking to your cars in work places and schools. I had someone follow me home, watch my schedule, knew when to hit, and stole my truck parked in my driveway between times that they knew someone would not be watching. It happens when you least expect it to. It's sad to say that law officials announce they are aware of what is going on and it's an open investigation but yet have no leads nor do they provide any that would be of comfort to the worried, scared, and 'ready to do anything to protect myself and family' citizens. I have to disagree with the first comment to a certain extent; if a burglary is happening with no deadly force then deadly force should be expelled against them. At what point do you know that no deadly force is involved in a burglary? You have no idea what that person is thinking to do to an individual who pops up out of nowhere nor do you know them psychologically to what intentions they have to act on. My safety along with my right to defend my life, family, and property will be the first thing I think about when I will be reacting to any kind of burglary and not the offender's safe being.

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  6. I would never be able to rob a house. I feel it is wrong to steal from hardworking people. That woman collected those items over several years, and put a lot of work into her home. When a person robs a home, they are often doing more than physical damage. Burglars might feel they are only taking items away from someone, but they are also taking away hard work, and a person’s feeling of safety. Incidents like these make it difficult for many people to feel safe even in their home. A burglar might gain a few items, but at what cost? I would feel horrible if someone stole my most prized possessions, like my coin collection I am saving for my daughter. Many people have emotions that arise from certain objects, and taking those objects can leave permanent damage.
    However, for those optimists out there, the security companies are gaining new customers after break ins.

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  7. Stealing is wrong! I feel for these people. If you do not want to be a victim, you should learn how to safe guard your home and cars and most importantly yourself. Dogs, an alarm, a watchful eye, and people willing to stand up and be counted as a community would put thugs on notices. (Castle Doctrine) will change a mind are two. All things are vanity.

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  8. I don't know why this stupid teens do this kind of stupid things to other people, but i don't blame them i blame the parents because maybe they don't care what they children do. I feel bad for the wife of this man because all of her stuff that she put in to the house all her afort was gone in one night thanks to some kids that were looking for money and have fun.

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  9. I first-hand know what it feels like to have my personal belongings stollen. My house was robbed of my computer, tons of electronic merchandise, purses, and very sentimental jewelry given to me from family. It feels freaking awful to have things taken from you that means the world to you. I'm not saying I'm a materialistic person but a lot of that stuff taken from me was very sentamental. Years and years of merchandise taken from this woman,I couldn't imagine. I wish neighborhood security and security systems would step their game up and maybe by the time that this starts to begin it can be put to a hault.

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