seek to control the violent behavior present in society by targeting specific group as opposed to focusing on those people who actually offend. Changing police behaviors alone, however, is not a cure for the public health problem of societal violence. Addressing the root causes of the frustrations and failure that lead many people to commit violent acts also is essential.
Abstract ........................................... 2
I. The Problem ................................ 5
Introduction ............................. 5
Statement of the Problem ................. 5
Purpose of the Study ..................... 7
Importance of the Study .................. 8
Scope of the Study ....................... 9
II. Review of the Literature ................... 10
Introduction ............................. 10
Literature Available ..................... 10
Organization of the Literature Review .... 10
Literature Review......................... 11
Summary .................................. 47
III. Conclusion ................................. 49
References ......................................... 51
Violent crime is a serious problem in the United States generally and in California and Los Angeles more specifically. At one time, violent behavior was perceived to be exclusively a criminal justice problem. Today, there is a growing awareness that violence is a serious public health issue. In California, violent crime costs society in many ways. Human loss and injury are the most serious costs. Financial impacts on hospitals, communities, and families, however, also are severe. Acute medical care for patients with gun-related injuries, as an example, costs more than $30,000 per hospital admission.
This study examines the problem of violent behavior as a public health issue. The methodological approach to the examination is an extensive review of ...