| Most people think that when the economy is bad, | | | | are vacant and stealing copper plumbing, which is |
| crime goes up and Bail Bondsmen really rake in the | | | | causing flooding. The home foreclosures have |
| dough. That is not necessarily true. | | | | impacted nearly 40% of law enforcement agencies, |
| While some states may have seen an increase in | | | | either through a loss in tax revenue, or an increase in |
| crime, not all states have seen that sort of increase. | | | | crime relating to vacant houses. |
| Bail bond companies sell a product like other | | | | Bail bondsmen deal with good people on a daily basis |
| merchants, and when the economy is down, it | | | | who have just made a mistake. Some people will do |
| affects their business as well. While people are | | | | unthinkable and surprising things when they are |
| struggling to pay their house payments and don't | | | | desperate, like embezzlement for example. |
| have the money to pay their bills, they most likely | | | | What about Domestic Violence in this economy? |
| cannot afford a bail bond either. So, yes, it does | | | | Another form of desperation is when stress and the |
| affect the bail bond companies just like any other | | | | unknown cause people to violently lash out against |
| business. | | | | family members. |
| Is there really a rise in crime rates? | | | | Due to that act alone, the US Department of Justice |
| It depends on where you live. | | | | issued a Community Dispatch called "Preparing for |
| In Connecticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal | | | | Crime in a Bad Economy", which warns about the |
| mentioned that, "our worst economic times seem to | | | | possible rise in domestic violence. In California, this is |
| be bringing out the worst in many of our people." He | | | | one crime that is on the rise. The YWCA Domestic |
| said there was an increase in armed robberies, | | | | Violence Hotline in San Diego County has seen calls |
| shoplifting, and state fraud. | | | | doubled compared to 2008. |
| However, In California the opposite affect seems to | | | | The bail amount in California for a domestic violence |
| be happening. The Los Angeles Times reported that | | | | charge ranges anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. |
| for the sixth year in a row, crime rates are falling in | | | | The bail bond amount alone for that is 10%. This is a |
| Southern California and Los Angeles area. | | | | very expensive lesson on how important anger |
| In other areas, our economic situation is helping to | | | | management is. |
| solve crimes. In Nashville it was reported that there | | | | Just like many other businesses, bail bondsmen feel |
| was a 53% increase in tips given to the Nashville | | | | the impact as their customers have less money in |
| Crime Stoppers Group. A motivator for many people | | | | these difficult times. The result being that the people |
| is the reward money. Metro detective Jim Lambert | | | | who are arrested are not able to come up with that |
| said, "I even had one caller call in and say, 'You know, | | | | kind of money or collateral to get out of jail. They |
| normally I'm not a snitch, but I need the money." | | | | feel they cannot turn loose of that sort of money |
| Are Good People Going Bad? | | | | and most often will sit it out in jail. |
| Due to layoffs and home foreclosures, some people | | | | Fortunately, the situation is improving and people are |
| are concerned that it is turning honest people into | | | | a lot more optimistic about spending money. They |
| criminals. However, there is not much evidence to | | | | feel the economy is on the rise and things will be |
| support that. | | | | getting back to as close to normal as possible. No |
| In Providence, RI there has been an increase in calls | | | | matter what business you are in, that is good news |
| to the Fire Department, but most often this is not | | | | for everybody. |
| for fires. It's from thieves breaking into houses that | | | | |