I would think that the following factors associated with a downturn in the economy/general credit crunch would have a significant impact on crime:
1) Higher rates of alcohol/drug use
2) More transition from middle class to lower class (lower relative standards of living)
3) Political/ethnic/age polarization
4) Decreased standards/control at schools (is this possible?)
5) Increased socialism/welfare spending
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"Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter."
Dogbert
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