Unemployment is said to lead people one of two ways.
One way is to offices, employment lines or job fairs. The other way is a path of desperation leading to crime.
“There is a correlation between crime and unemployment. It doesn’t have to be, but realistically it is,” said Myron Richardson, executive director of Flanner House.
Marc Lotter, communications director, Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) adds unemployment was on the decline through the middle of 2008, however joblessness has doubled statewide since then.
Although Lotter claims Indiana was one of the last states to enter into the recession, for June 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Indiana as No. 40 with an unemployment rate of 10.7. Indiana’s rate is higher than states such as Illinois and New York.
DWD reported Indiana’s preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate as having little change in June. The rate of 10.7 percent marks an increase of 0.1 percent from May, which is considered statistically insignificant.
Indiana’s heavy reliance on manufacturing, automotive supply companies or the collapse of the recreational vehicle (RV) industry in northern Indiana has aided massive job losses. Lotter claims there are governmental efforts to encourage Hoosiers to look to thriving sectors such as life sciences, agriculture and energy.
Many have lost jobs due to the recession, but Blacks and low-income individuals have fared the worst. The national percentage for Black unemployment is 14.7 percent compared to 8.7 percent for whites.
Richardson has seen a high influx of individuals enter Flanner Houses doors looking for help. When they enter Flanner House’s doors, they are distraught and in a state of panic. Some so much that they will protect their well being by any means necessary.
Richardson attributes rising crime stemming from job loss to “the unemployables.” These are the individuals with no high school diploma, poor financial skills, unacceptable lifestyle issues, ex-offenders, or lack of job training among other traits.
Unemployables don’t have the necessary tools such as saying please and thank you, effective communication or proper job attire to get and maintain employment.
Some unemployables may have the will power to turn their joblessness around, however long term unemployment is what community leaders suspect drives individuals into crime.
“They might get a job, but people really need something to sustain them; something to support your life over the long haul,” said Richardson.
Today, “unemployables” are both men and women.
Richardson also attributes laziness, lack of personal growth or the lack of a Black male figure in the home that leads individuals to go out and commit crimes.
“We had a case, this lady would call and advocate for her 30 year old son. I asked her, ‘ma’am, where’s your son.’ She said ‘he’s back in his room.’ I said, ‘Well, why isn’t he calling?” said Richardson. “That child goes out and commits a crime, she’s still defending him.”
Those looking to crime instead of legal and reasonable help should not give up hope. Unemployment is bad, yet Lotter suggests people use this time as an opportunity to improve skills, increase education or special training and make one’s self as marketable as possible.
Help is available to those who want it, but unfortunately some don’t even get into the doors to get help and instead rob out of desperation or anger.
