Security then vs security now

[bobcat]

When we were young, many left their homes unlocked, keys in the vehicle, kids walked home from school, etc.... Granted, from time-to-time things did happen, but not to the degree that is prevalent in today's world.

When I was young people hitched a ride, pulled over to help a stranded motorist, and in all the time I went to school, no one ever imagined bringing a gun (Even though every home had them).

I'm not saying that everything was better then, but I guess I am wondering, what changed? Were parents stricter, or better role models, did people just pay more attention, did morality change, did criminals get more clever, has the justice system failed us, are people more desperate now. What happened that changed security and safety?

 

[Jeni]

People had a sense of real consequences they do not seem to know now.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I don’t believe that much has changed other than our own perception of the potential dangers.

We’ve given way too much to the Boogeyman and have little to show for it other than the illusion of safety.

 

[feywon]

A lot depends on where you live, not just in USA, but globally.
The small town i live in has very low crime rates, mostly thefts.
Often there will be a mini crime wave of easily pawnable items, often from garages or workshops. Until the thieves are caught by police have a close encounter with an armed home owner (not deadly but enough for them to leave our village

I think there's been like 2 murders in our 14 years here. They occurred in one incident with very personal motive tho one of them may have just been in wrong place at wrong time. Perpetrator caught quickly.

When we first moved in local teens would get high (alcohol and/or weed) in the family graveyard adjacent to our property. Usually didn't make TOO much noise too late at night. But once they realized someone living here again that might sic the police on them they found other venues.

We had one incident where our dogs were making racket (maybe one the kids had entered our driveway that runs by the graveyard?) I stepped out side shouted "Shut up" at the dogs and some kid yelled back "Shut up yourself!" To which i replied "i was talking to my dogs, fool. On my land!" They got quiet and word must have spread, no further issues!

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I'm not saying that everything was better then, but I guess I am wondering, what changed?

I agree with the OP, except to say there was never a time in my life when we (my family) left our doors unlocked, or keys in our vehicles.

Depending on how far back we go with this, the changes have been many. My family didn't even own a TV when I was a young child. We got a few minutes of AM radio news and that was it. Now, through TV and social media, we're connected to tragedies happening everywhere. People tend to worry more about dangerous events that get so much coverage, making them feel less secure.

We knew all our neighbors when I was growing up - which ones were good, which to avoid. Somehow over the years, that seemed to change, as people wanted more privacy and tended to avoid getting too familiar with neighbors. I'm not clear on when that began. I have neighbors where I now live that I know nothing whatsoever about.

The OP made me think of the Columbine massacre, which was the school shooting I most vividly remember. Even though it was not the first, more school shootings soon followed, from copycat criminals. Likewise, other notable crimes are copied today, and are heavily influenced by social media. This makes all of us more concerned for our safety in public places, and one consequence is that we have become more isolationists in general.

 

[RambleTamble]

A lot of it is perception, since the crime rate now is about the same as what it was back in the '70s, having peaked in the '90s.

There was a steady increase in crime from the '60s until the '90s, and then it reversed. It's been kind of plateauing for about a decade.

I've never lived in a high crime rate area, and have never really worried about getting burgled or robbed... I guess the exception might have been when I lived in Houston. There was a lot of crime down there. That was in the late '70s and early '80s. I think they still have a lot of crime.

 

[Grampa Don]

I don't know where the OP grew up, but none of that was true in the 40's and 50's where I was raised, except the part about someone pulling over to help a stranded driver. And the last time my car pooped out a guy did and asked if I needed any help. I told him the tow was on the way and thanked him. I think there is a perception that things are always worse now. We thought that back in the 50's too.

 

[MarciKS]

Well I can say I believe it's worse now. I don't ever remember hearing gunshots in my neighborhood as a child. There's been 3 events on my block in the past couple years of guns being fired at people or property. Plus a shooter at work that shot himself in the lobby of the hospital I work at. Plus I think security chased a man with a gun from the building one day across into the parking garage so you just never know.

One night someone robbed a place and let their car coast to the corner of my block and got out and started running towards my house because there was a hidey hole in the back for him somewhere. Then he was by my living room window talking on his cell phone to a friend while watching the cops look through his abandoned car.

I am actually afraid to go for a walk in this town because of some of the people here. There are druggies here that will come at you and try to attack you for no reason.

 

[Grampa Don]

Well I can say I believe it's worse now. I don't ever remember hearing gunshots in my neighborhood as a child. There's been 3 events on my block in the past couple years of guns being fired at people or property. Plus a shooter at work that shot himself in the lobby of the hospital I work at. Plus I think security chased a man with a gun from the building one day across into the parking garage so you just never know.

One night someone robbed a place and let their car coast to the corner of my block and got out and started running towards my house because there was a hidey hole in the back for him somewhere. Then he was by my living room window talking on his cell phone to a friend while watching the cops look through his abandoned car.

I am actually afraid to go for a walk in this town because of some of the people here. There are druggies here that will come at you and try to attack you for no reason.

Dang, Marci. That sure doesn't fit my image of Kansas. I guess it depends on where you live. I know there are bad areas here too. And, areas can change over time.

 

[MarciKS]

Dang, Marci. That sure doesn't fit my image of Kansas. I guess it depends on where you live. I know there are bad areas here too. And, areas can change over time.

We have a lot of crime here. There's always cops at the hospital with prisoners probably almost every night.