Dallas is a city full of great opportunities. The city benefits from a strong economy, a vibrant cultural scene, world-class sports teams and top-tier educational institutions. This and so much more have made Dallas an attractive destination for millions of individuals and families to plant their roots and make the city their home over the last century. As with most major international cities, Dallas also has its share of crime.
Based on recent data from a study published in the journal Econometrica, when jobs are lost and workers are displaced, there is a significant rise in both economically motivated crime and violent crime. Younger workers and those with minimal job experience or education are particularly vulnerable when unemployment occurs, leading to a 43% increase in economically motivated crime and a 17% rise in violent crime.
One way that we can keep emerging crime at bay is by investing in workforce development. When cities invest in workforce development, it’s a crucial step forward in lessening the crime rate.
Job training is a concern for our justice populations in particular. At least 60% of formerly incarcerated residents at any given time are unemployed, which leads to an increased rate of recidivism. Even those who do find employment struggle, with the average individual holding 3.4 jobs within four years, according to the nonprofit Prison Policy Initiative. This is caused by a variety of barriers, from employers who are not background-friendly to a lack of job-training programs that provide access and a pathway to stable, good-paying jobs.
Investing in workforce development helps those most at risk of committing economically motivated crimes to create meaningful career paths that lead to financial stability and economic growth. Through job training and skills development, individuals have a better chance of escaping poverty and achieving financial independence.
Underemployment and unemployment are two of the most damaging economic issues in our society, especially when it persists across generations. Without access to quality job opportunities, people feel compelled to resort to desperate measures to make ends meet. Creating more access to living-wage employment and ongoing training and upskilling can turn the tide for individuals or families struggling with financial insecurity for generations.
As a society, we are perpetually constructing new barriers to keep people down. The more barriers we put up, the more desperation we unintentionally create, making crime a viable and immediate opportunity for someone just trying to provide for their family. After all, no one wants to see their child go hungry.
This was the case for a current, longtime employee of On-Target Supplies & Logistics who previously held lower-wage jobs that were insufficient to meet her modest financial needs. She had to make compromising decisions that were contrary to her core values in order for her family to eat and have shelter. After entering workforce development courses, along with financial literacy courses, she is now earning more than a family-sustaining wage and has the ability to save for retirement.
Providing individuals with a pathway out of poverty is a powerful tool to break the cycle of crime that is both meaningful to families and to our community and economy. A recent study tracked a group of unemployed and underemployed individuals ranging from ages 18 to 66 with a prior criminal record. The study from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University found that those selected to receive vocational and industry-based training had a significant reduction in the likelihood of future arrests.
Along with many other crime-fighting initiatives the city is investing in, investing in workforce development initiatives is an effective solution for Dallas, as it offers access to education, training, credentials and even mentorship programs that can help people become financially independent. This can provide individuals with not just financial stability but also a sense of purpose. A job making a living wage, and a life of purpose and hope can be the difference between someone on the brink of criminal behavior and making a positive choice instead.
Dallas has a real opportunity to create a more equitable society, one in which citizens are not so desperate to meet their most basic needs that they resort to crime. Investment in workforce development is just one part of this solution, but it is an important one for our community and our economy.
Tre’ Black is the CEO of On-Target Supplies & Logistics and chairman of the board at ReadyToWork. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.
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Workforce development is crucial to addressing crime in Dallas
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