Tip-Off to Combat Stabbings Rate
Punitive Measures Aimed at Knife Carriers May Be Counterproductive
Provision of improved support for those who wish to protect themselves against the threat of aggression or misguided self defense is required.
An alternative to the promotion of "quick-fix" draconian measures against those found guilty of knife carrying could be found through the use of passive action systems. Anonymous reporting, used as the central component of an education campaign aimed at changing the perception the knife, may well produce a more effective long term solution.
Fear of Attack is Common
Young people who carry knives often claim that they do so out of fear of victimization. Derek Indoe, a prominent UK Consultant Clinical Psychologist is quoted in an article published by the Independent saying that there is evidence to show that these fears are increased by widespread perception that authority is indifferent to threat and intimidation endured by the young. They have no-one to turn to, so they equip to defend themselves.
The Image of the Knife: Perception Must Change
A potential victim of attack may well feel that producing a knife in a conflict situation will immediately grant increased respect from the aggressors and reduce the chance of personal injury. All too frequently this perception is mistaken and what may have ended in a bloody nose results in a chest wound, or worse.
The situation is being taken seriously to the extent that the UK authorities are pressing for stiffer penalties to be levied on knife carriers and are even considering the use of metal detectors in schools to locate knives and remove them from circulation. In the past knife amnesties have been used, however the problem of knife carrying remains.
Recent technology developments in the USA have enabled Crime Stoppers organisations to deploy anonymous text tip-off systems in Bostonand Oklahoma. While technology alone cannot solve serious social problems, campaigns built around the use of technology certainly can. The value in these systems is that they afford the tipster a much greater degree of anonymity than previously.
Fear Stops People from Taking Action
People in fear of reprisal are unlikely to speak out against those they perceived as aggressors. They are equally unlikely to point out to authorities friends and associates who arm themselves in misguided attempts at self defense, especially so if the same heavy penalties are applied to the unwise as are levied upon the belligerent.
An anonymous tip-off system offers great advantages provided that it is deployed as part of a campaign. This must contain the elements of discovery and support to encourage citizens to use it. Advertising showing fearful youngsters where to turn, backed up by a safe means of action at a personal level must be a more positive way forward.
A Softer Approach to Disarmament
The method used in Oklahoma certainly illustrates a different approach, A myspace blog, placed where students can easily find it, explains how safe the OKC Crime Stoppers/ProductiveT system is for the tipster and how it can be used. A link to the OKC Crime Stoppers website gives more details and also alternative methods of reporting. Back this up with a poster campaign, maybe a local radio campaign and the community has an effective system for gaining a hand hold on the knife carrying culture. Removing knives from circulation can then become more focussed.
