Good News: Less Crime During the Olympics

When the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan show on February 9, 1964, not one youth related crime was reported in America. Back then, no one had VCRs, PVRs or TiVos. Every teenager and young adult was glued to the television. Crime took a day off!

It was reported on the day of the 100 meter Final in Beijing 2008, there were no murders in Jamaica.  In a country where the average homicide rate is nearly three per day, this is alarming. In fact, based on per capita of 100,000 people, Jamaica ranks 3rd for the highest homicide rates!  (Source: Interpol, 2003 statistics.  Colombia is #1 and South Africa #2)

Here is a snippet from the Timesonline.co.uk:

So you have to wonder what happens a little farther down the line in early October, when the official celebrations are planned. When all Jamaica’s medal-winners are home, there will an official national holiday lasting three days and in some parts of the island they are planning for six.

That is the effect that the Olympics had on Jamaica. Barbara Blake Hannah, a special consultant to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports, said: “Sports is one thing that holds Jamaica together. I heard that on the day of Bolt’s 100 meters, no one here was killed. Even murder took a holiday for him.”

Crime Dropped By 6% During London Olympics

Here’s a report from the Huffington Post:

Crime went down by 6% across the capital during the Olympic and Paralympic Games according to initial estimates, the head of the Met Police Bernard Hogan-Howe quoted.

Speaking to MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee, Hogan-Howe said police were happy to step into the breach when security company G4S said they could not deliver enough security staff to protect the London 2012 games.

"Not only did the public seem to enjoy it but also the officers didn’t want to go back," he said, joking that a similar event should be arranged every year.

So this is great news. We need to keep today’s youth off the streets and focus on their creative abilities whether it be academics, music or sports.

I am glad sports, and in particular Track & Field is making an impact in today’s population.   Of course, the Spice Girls are more popular!