Why Is Some Property Crime Not Reported?
As much as 62 percent of property crimes go unreported by the victims, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Victims may decline to report a property crime because of fear of reprisal. Victims may also distrust law enforcement, or even feel such pity for the criminals themselves that they balk at reporting property crime.
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Trivial Loss
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Many property crimes are unreported simply because the victims think it isn't worth the effort, especially when they consider the loss trivial. Reporting a crime takes time and energy and is often an emotional process that many victims would rather avoid. When property crimes are minor, most victims will simply resolve to be more cautious in the future.
Undetected Crime
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Sometimes, people who have suffered losses from property crime are unaware that they have even been victimized. Examples include store owners whose goods have been shoplifted, people whose property have been stolen by a guest in their own home, or investors bilked by clever scam artists.
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Concealment
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Some victims of property crime have a vested interest in preventing others from learning about the crime. This frequently happens when one family member steals from another. Motives for not reporting the crime include embarrassment and a desire to give the perpetrator options to "make it right" that may not be offered by police. Some victims don't report property crimes because of a threat of blackmail from the offender.
Lack of Faith in Law Enforcement
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People who are suspicious or critical of law enforcement are often reluctant to report crimes, preferring to handle matters without the involvement of authorities. These critics may cite slow processing times, discriminatory policies or even incompetence. Many people, especially those who function within what cultural anthropologist Oscar Lewis refers to as a "culture of poverty," see the criminal justice system as unjust. Some may prefer to practice vigilante justice in response to property crime.
Fear of Reprisal
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Fear keeps people quiet. After being victimized by a criminal, many people remain in a vulnerable emotional state. Such individuals often refrain from reporting property crime out of concern that by doing so they will be targeted once again, and perhaps physically injured.
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References
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