"Policing the Crisis"

"Policing the Crisis," written by Stuart Hall and colleagues in 1978, is a sociological analysis examining how media and policymakers influence public perceptions of crime, particularly during economic and social upheavals like the 1970s. The book argues that sensationalized media reporting and political rhetoric often exaggerate crime threats, leading to increased policing and social control strategies. These responses disproportionately target marginalized communities, fueling social fears and justifying restrictive policies. The work highlights how crime control becomes a tool for societal management, reflecting wider issues of inequality and power dynamics rather than solely addressing actual crime rates.