Crime in the Cities: Public Safety at Risk

Why do urban crime rates soar in some wealthy countries while dropping in others? This program analyzes that question using data-mapping to find telltale patterns in Japan and the United States. With the Japanese crime rate increasing in 90 percent of the nation, a data map based on locations and peak times of criminal activity sheds light on deteriorating conditions in city outskirts. Opposite patterns are observed in New York and Los Angeles, where crime rates have fallen dramatically over five years-partly as a result of improvements in municipal services and environments. Use this program to demonstrate links between crime rates and civic responsibility. (31 minutes)