CRJ 19:3 is out now!
Our September 2024 issue is now live. The digital edition can be accessed on the CRJ website, whereas hard copies will be mailed out shortly.
Taking on the theme of ‘Crime Waves’, this edition delivers an exploration of crime’s evolving and unending influence around the world. From the Southport riots in the UK to Latin America’s web of organised crime; the issue offers insights into many pressing issues. It also reviews the disaster response and crisis planning pertaining to flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Moreover, it investigates how climate change exacerbates crime, including human trafficking, shedding light on the need for comprehensive strategies in an era of increasing instability.
Comment: Matthew Porcelli highlights that while crime can be unpredictable, effective security strategies can close the ‘window of opportunity’ for criminals. Similarly, Matt Minshall explores the concept of ‘crime tsunamis’, explaining that the imbalance in resources leads to crime waves and like waves, crimes escalate from minor offences to large-scale corruption and war.
On to the feature, we take a look at ‘Crime Waves,’ where Roger Gomm highlights the challenges of policing in the digital age, where misinformation can rapidly field unrest, particularly in the case of July’s Southport riots in the UK. Similarly, Jeannie Barr comments on the role of crime in eroding community trust and the growing challenge for resilience professionals as rising crime rates complicate emergency planning and disaster response.
Lina Kolesnikova examines the terror attacks on places of worship in Dagestan, Russia, in June. She explores the shift in the profile of a ‘radicalised individual’ and the failure of social structures in the region, contributing to the rise of extremism in Dagestan. Andy Blackwell reports on how organised crime syndicates are increasingly infiltrating civil aviation by manipulating employees who have inside knowledge.
Lucy Cuthbertson examines Japan’s low crime rate and attributes it to the country’s cultural emphasis on collectivism, respect for authority, and community cohesion. However, the low crime rate comes with its own gaps, with some cases and crimes falling through the cracks.
Lubna Jerar Naqvi takes on the subject of South Asia’s problem with gender-based violence, which can often end with murder. She expands on the reasons why the strictest laws are unable to deter criminals from assaulting women: “Laws alone are ineffective when the people they govern don't think they will be enforced.”
Michael Harris looks at white-collar crime, its growth with technology, and how it mushrooms through cybercrime, money laundering, and insider trading. He explores the introduction of stricter laws, such as the UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which aim to improve transparency and accountability.
Carlos Alberto de Araujo Gomes Jr and Elton Cunha examine organised crime in Latin America, and Brazil in particular, as they write about the growth of criminal factions thriving through drug trafficking, violence, and the exploitation of impoverished communities.
The practice of child marriage persists in India. Annabel Sofer discusses its intersection with economic disparities and societal pressures in the country. She highlights the need for raising the age of compulsory and free education to 16 in the fight against exploitation and abuse of young girls.
Moving onto resilience and response: James Lodge looks at how businesses can deal with disruptions that range from peaceful protests to violent demonstrations. He writes that to combat this unpredictability, businesses must engage with local communities and enforce appropriate risk management and crisis planning strategies. Caroline Field explores the need for resilience in the UK to address risks such as cyberattacks, misinformation, climate change, and so on. She expands on the ‘National Resilience Framework,’ which emphasises the need for whole-of-society resilience and collectivism.
Meanwhile, Amanda Coleman takes on the crisis of public trust in policing and law enforcement across the globe. She highlights a need for a shift in culture and behaviour, focusing on transparency, humility, and community engagement.
Anna Karas reviews the importance of situational awareness for business travellers, particularly in increasingly polarised political environments. Similarly, Marco Chan and Gail Rowntree examine the importance of airport preparedness when it comes to aviation emergencies, referring to the turbulence incident in Singapore Airlines flight SQ321.
Highlighting the need for self-care for emergency response and resilience professionals, Patricia Smith notes that compassion fatigue can make their jobs increasingly difficult. Similarly, Robert McAlister and Dr Hendrie Weisinger explore the negative effect of pressure on performance, especially in leadership roles during crises. They highlight the need for self-care, emotional intelligence, and team trust as ways to combat high-pressure situations. Mostafa Sayyadi and Michael Provitera take the conversation on leadership forward as they put forward a case study of Carlos Ghosn’s crisis leadership strategy.
Onto floods and climate change: Marcos Leandro Kazmierczak reviews climatic events that have hit Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 1994–2023, including droughts, floods, and cyclones. He examines the state’s vulnerability to future climate events. In the same vein, Anderson Silva explores the severe shortcomings in disaster preparedness, risk mapping, and infrastructure management during the May flooding in Rio Grande do Sul. In terms of innovative solutions, Andre Pugas highlights the use of drones and search dogs in rescue operations after the floods, leading to a rescue of over 3,000 people and 560 animals.
Moving onto the nexus of climate change and social vulnerabilities, Zixin Xiong investigates the rising crime rates in low-income countries owing to displacement and economic instability caused by natural disasters. He highlights the disparity between the Global North and South in handling the social effects of climate-induced disasters. Similarly, Annabel Sofer examines the increase in human trafficking owing to climate-induced vulnerabilities. She sheds light on weak governmental responses and poor social support systems that allow traffickers to operate freely.
Focusing on risk management in the digital world, Keyaan Williams highlights the need for effective identity and access management strategies in preventing cyberattacks and unauthorised system access. Similarly, in the face of systematic risks, such as the Crowdstrike outage, Andrew Blades emphasises managing the consequences of disruptions rather than merely identifying causes, advocating for a more consequence-based approach to risk management.
Kellen Knott writes about the ‘Medical Emergency Response Plan’ (MERP) in industries operating in remote locations to implement preventative safety measures and enhance operational safety and efficiency.
Minhaj Aman dissects Bangladesh’s evolution from ‘Smart’ to ‘Digital’ Bangladesh, and how this progress came with increasing digital authoritarianism at every step.
In next gen, exploring the ‘Pathogen Outbreak Game’ developed by The International Science Reserve (ISR) and Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS), Mila Rosenthal highlights the role of gamification in helping scientists and policymakers practice decision-making during public health crises.
Frontline: Luavut Zahid speaks to Dr Iain Overton on his career shift from conflict journalism to leading AOAV. Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) is an NGO advocating against the use of explosive weapons in conflict zones and protecting civilians from armed violence.
The Emergency Planning Society (EPS) is launching the ‘Big Conversation’, an initiative that aims to address the growing disconnect between emergency professionals and the communities they serve in the UK. The first of the events will be held virtually. To register, please email info@the-eps.org.
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