Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/288622141_2283db4b99_w.jpg301400Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-24 11:57:532024-02-04 04:26:51“Hang up and Police?”
In most Western Advanced Industrialized countries, the prevailing advice for securing a comfortable income and satisfying career is pretty straightforward: not only should you specialize in a well-paying high demand profession, but excel in your job.
Although there are multiple paths to achieve this state of affairs, it typically means graduating from a respected school, (including earning certification, degree or licensure), receiving appropriate training, and working for good company.
For many people this formula works well. But for others this approach comes with numerous often unacknowledged or unanticipated downsides. These include massive amounts of student debt, long hours performing mind numbing and sole crushing tasks, in toxic work environments, and the reward as it often turns out is simply the paycheck and little else.
Individuals respond to this situation in a variety of ways. Some start to numb the discomfort with alcohol, drugs, or retail therapy, while others exercise on a regular basis, go on vacations, contemplate or engage in constant job and career switching, etc.
More recently some people have been advised to periodically get out of their lane.
What does getting out of one’s lane mean?
Getting out of one’s lane is an expression that refers to situations when someone gives their opinions or pursues activities outside of their usual area of expertise or knowledge.
It also means stepping outside of one’s usual role or comfort zone.
We have all seen, experienced, and perhaps engaged in the first type of activity. From the drunk at the end of the bar, to your obnoxious uncle that your family felt obligated to invite over to Thanksgiving dinner. There are lots of people we have met or know who fit this description. It might even be us. But that is not the subject that I want to focus on.
I’m more concerned with prosocial activities and situations that people can engage in with a minimum amount of resource expenditure. This might include trying a new type of food or cuisine, style of clothing, short educational course, hobby, place to travel to, etc. In sum, changing one’s lane in this context refers to trying something out of the ordinary, an activity or pursuit that you don’t normally do.
What does temporarily getting out of one’s lane NOT mean?
To begin with getting out of one’s lane does not mean waking up tomorrow and quitting your job, abandoning your obligations, or being a dilatant. This approach is also not a simply a palliative to getting unstuck or getting out of depression, although it might have this kind of secondary benefit. But getting out of one’s lane can provide a number of tangible benefits.
Why is getting out of one’s lane important?
There are several reasons why stepping out of one’s lane is important and advantageous.
This includes but is not limited to:
an antidote to boredom.
making people who pursue these interests appear to be more interesting to others
the possibility of a new job or career path,
exposure to new ideas and perspectives, fostering innovation and creativity.
facilitating a way to learn new things and possibly grow emotionally.
learn more effective problem-solving techniques.
expanding your network and opening up opportunities for collaboration.
learning to become more adaptable
Why are people reluctant to get out of their lane?
There re numerous reasons why people hesitate to get out of their lane.
Some of the more important ones are:
insufficient resources
Western society’s promotion of idea of career hyper specialization,
laziness
lack of natural curiosity
fear of not being taken seriously in ones primary career
anxiety about being called or labeled a dilettante
fear of the unknown.
The bigger challenge
For some people getting out of their lanes may be relatively easy, but I suspect that many, if not most individuals, have lots of rational sounding reasons why they should remain doing the same thing day in day out.
Having said all this, I believe that getting out of your lane basically comes down to taking small calculated risks, experimenting, and to be rational about this whole process. This includes writing things down somewhere in a place that you can refer back to. This may be solved by creating a file on your computer that you can easily access, or designating a notebook that you can keep handy on your book shelf or desk, that you can jot notes down in. In the meantime, there are lots of good books, youtube videos, podcasts and workshops that deal in whole or in part with this subject, worthy of exploration.
The time to start is now.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Nikkorz
Title: the rush 36/365
The traffic in the Bay Area usually sucks, despite the number of lanes the typical highway has here.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/5449400370_bee4a91907_c.jpg297800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-17 17:29:422023-12-18 04:46:16Consider getting out of your lane
Whether it’s the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, the Sunday church choir, or a pickup basketball game, many individuals enjoy participating in both formal and informal groups and organizations.
Being part of an entity can offer numerous direct and indirect benefits, including, but not limited to, a sense of affiliation, camaraderie, and personal meaning. Organizations also serve as social hubs where individuals can receive mentorship and reciprocate the same to others. Groups function as social units where like-minded people can experience a sense of community.
These dynamics are not exclusive to casual settings; they also occur when individuals become members of professional and learned societies. In most academic disciplines, whether in the hard sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, etc.) or the soft sciences (e.g., anthropology, political science, sociology, etc.), learned societies play a pivotal role in providing support.
What benefits do learned societies provide their membership?
Learned societies, regardless of the subject matter specialization, and the country and region they operate in typically:
• communicate with their members (usually through social media, newsletters, a scholarly journal),
• advocate on their behalf,
• distribute information about new scholarship in the field,
• share job and grant opportunities,
• hold meetings (sometimes called conferences),
• but most importantly are places to network.
But not all learned societies are the same, nor represent the interests of all members. They vary based not just on subject matter members specialize in and relative expertise that the members possess, but in size, management, demographic composition of their members, geographic concentration/scope (international, national, regional, etc.), etc..
Which learned societies are relevant for aspiring Criminologists?
The scholarly field of Criminology/Criminal Justice is no different. And thus, it is important for graduate students contemplating becoming academic Criminologists, and untenured assistant professors in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to understand the breadth and depth of these learned societies.
How does one go about doing this?
A simple scan of the web will produce lots of organizations that specialize in the field of criminology and criminal justice.
Although there are professional organizations for criminal justice practitioners like the American Correctional Association, and the International Association for Chiefs of Police, in the academic field of Criminology/Criminal Justice almost each western country has their own Criminology/Criminal Justice learned society.
In the United States the two principle learned societies in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice are American Society of Criminology (ASC) and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Meanwhile there are a handful of regional Criminology/Criminal Justice learned societies (e.g., the Western Society of Criminology, Southern Criminal Justice Association, etc.) worth investigating.
If you live in the United States and intend to continue your career here, although it might be interesting joining the British Society of Criminology, or the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, unless you intend to grow your career in those countries, attend a conference sponsored by these organizations, or are deeply interested in matters of concern to members of those organizations, you might not want to join these learned societies right now.
It’s important, however, to not only read the communications that ASC, ACJS, etc. produce, but to talk to your instructors and professors (or fellow colleagues) and ask them what they know about these learned societies, with the ultimate goal of determining which one/s you should join. In short, some (or none of them) may be more appropriate to you unique interests, needs, wants, and desires and at your particular stage in your career.
Ultimately, one of the best ways to figure out which group is most relevant to you is to join one or more of these organizations.
In many respects, it’s relatively low cost to join the ASC, ACJS, etc., especially if you are a graduate student or an untenured assistant professor. Some academic departments, colleges, and universities even pay this fee. Alternatively, membership fees are typically considered to be a tax deduction in most advanced industrialized countries.
The future of your membership
Joining one of the relevant criminology/criminal justice societies is a relatively low-cost endeavor. However, over time, you might want to experiment by attending one or more conferences held by these organization/s. This way, you can observe members up close and determine how comfortable you are in this type of setting. But more importantly, it’s not just about joining the ASC, ACJS, etc.; over time, it’s crucial to become actively involved in the activities that these societies conduct.
Photo Credit
Title: Auguste Rodin, The Thinker
Photographer: Sharon Mollerus
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/52622147232_524356b0ef_c.jpg450800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-09 16:29:482024-02-04 12:42:45Should aspiring Criminologists join the prominent learned societies in their field of study?
“Hang up and Police?”
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOver the past few years police officers, largely transit, in many metro and subway stations are frequently seen seemingly engrossed in checking their smartphones and not intervening while patrons freely evade paying fares by jumping turnstiles.
Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
In addition to shifting tax expenditures to making all (or limited portions of a jurisdiction’s) public transportation free or during certain days and hours, transit systems might consider installing alternative turnstile designs to deter or prevent evasion.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.
Consider getting out of your lane
/by Jeffrey Ian RossIn most Western Advanced Industrialized countries, the prevailing advice for securing a comfortable income and satisfying career is pretty straightforward: not only should you specialize in a well-paying high demand profession, but excel in your job.
Although there are multiple paths to achieve this state of affairs, it typically means graduating from a respected school, (including earning certification, degree or licensure), receiving appropriate training, and working for good company.
For many people this formula works well. But for others this approach comes with numerous often unacknowledged or unanticipated downsides. These include massive amounts of student debt, long hours performing mind numbing and sole crushing tasks, in toxic work environments, and the reward as it often turns out is simply the paycheck and little else.
Individuals respond to this situation in a variety of ways. Some start to numb the discomfort with alcohol, drugs, or retail therapy, while others exercise on a regular basis, go on vacations, contemplate or engage in constant job and career switching, etc.
More recently some people have been advised to periodically get out of their lane.
What does getting out of one’s lane mean?
Getting out of one’s lane is an expression that refers to situations when someone gives their opinions or pursues activities outside of their usual area of expertise or knowledge.
It also means stepping outside of one’s usual role or comfort zone.
We have all seen, experienced, and perhaps engaged in the first type of activity. From the drunk at the end of the bar, to your obnoxious uncle that your family felt obligated to invite over to Thanksgiving dinner. There are lots of people we have met or know who fit this description. It might even be us. But that is not the subject that I want to focus on.
I’m more concerned with prosocial activities and situations that people can engage in with a minimum amount of resource expenditure. This might include trying a new type of food or cuisine, style of clothing, short educational course, hobby, place to travel to, etc. In sum, changing one’s lane in this context refers to trying something out of the ordinary, an activity or pursuit that you don’t normally do.
What does temporarily getting out of one’s lane NOT mean?
To begin with getting out of one’s lane does not mean waking up tomorrow and quitting your job, abandoning your obligations, or being a dilatant. This approach is also not a simply a palliative to getting unstuck or getting out of depression, although it might have this kind of secondary benefit. But getting out of one’s lane can provide a number of tangible benefits.
Why is getting out of one’s lane important?
There are several reasons why stepping out of one’s lane is important and advantageous.
This includes but is not limited to:
Why are people reluctant to get out of their lane?
There re numerous reasons why people hesitate to get out of their lane.
Some of the more important ones are:
The bigger challenge
For some people getting out of their lanes may be relatively easy, but I suspect that many, if not most individuals, have lots of rational sounding reasons why they should remain doing the same thing day in day out.
Having said all this, I believe that getting out of your lane basically comes down to taking small calculated risks, experimenting, and to be rational about this whole process. This includes writing things down somewhere in a place that you can refer back to. This may be solved by creating a file on your computer that you can easily access, or designating a notebook that you can keep handy on your book shelf or desk, that you can jot notes down in. In the meantime, there are lots of good books, youtube videos, podcasts and workshops that deal in whole or in part with this subject, worthy of exploration.
The time to start is now.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Nikkorz
Title: the rush 36/365
The traffic in the Bay Area usually sucks, despite the number of lanes the typical highway has here.
Should aspiring Criminologists join the prominent learned societies in their field of study?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossWhether it’s the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, the Sunday church choir, or a pickup basketball game, many individuals enjoy participating in both formal and informal groups and organizations.
Being part of an entity can offer numerous direct and indirect benefits, including, but not limited to, a sense of affiliation, camaraderie, and personal meaning. Organizations also serve as social hubs where individuals can receive mentorship and reciprocate the same to others. Groups function as social units where like-minded people can experience a sense of community.
These dynamics are not exclusive to casual settings; they also occur when individuals become members of professional and learned societies. In most academic disciplines, whether in the hard sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics, etc.) or the soft sciences (e.g., anthropology, political science, sociology, etc.), learned societies play a pivotal role in providing support.
What benefits do learned societies provide their membership?
Learned societies, regardless of the subject matter specialization, and the country and region they operate in typically:
• communicate with their members (usually through social media, newsletters, a scholarly journal),
• advocate on their behalf,
• distribute information about new scholarship in the field,
• share job and grant opportunities,
• hold meetings (sometimes called conferences),
• but most importantly are places to network.
But not all learned societies are the same, nor represent the interests of all members. They vary based not just on subject matter members specialize in and relative expertise that the members possess, but in size, management, demographic composition of their members, geographic concentration/scope (international, national, regional, etc.), etc..
Which learned societies are relevant for aspiring Criminologists?
The scholarly field of Criminology/Criminal Justice is no different. And thus, it is important for graduate students contemplating becoming academic Criminologists, and untenured assistant professors in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to understand the breadth and depth of these learned societies.
How does one go about doing this?
A simple scan of the web will produce lots of organizations that specialize in the field of criminology and criminal justice.
Although there are professional organizations for criminal justice practitioners like the American Correctional Association, and the International Association for Chiefs of Police, in the academic field of Criminology/Criminal Justice almost each western country has their own Criminology/Criminal Justice learned society.
In the United States the two principle learned societies in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice are American Society of Criminology (ASC) and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Meanwhile there are a handful of regional Criminology/Criminal Justice learned societies (e.g., the Western Society of Criminology, Southern Criminal Justice Association, etc.) worth investigating.
If you live in the United States and intend to continue your career here, although it might be interesting joining the British Society of Criminology, or the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, unless you intend to grow your career in those countries, attend a conference sponsored by these organizations, or are deeply interested in matters of concern to members of those organizations, you might not want to join these learned societies right now.
It’s important, however, to not only read the communications that ASC, ACJS, etc. produce, but to talk to your instructors and professors (or fellow colleagues) and ask them what they know about these learned societies, with the ultimate goal of determining which one/s you should join. In short, some (or none of them) may be more appropriate to you unique interests, needs, wants, and desires and at your particular stage in your career.
Ultimately, one of the best ways to figure out which group is most relevant to you is to join one or more of these organizations.
In many respects, it’s relatively low cost to join the ASC, ACJS, etc., especially if you are a graduate student or an untenured assistant professor. Some academic departments, colleges, and universities even pay this fee. Alternatively, membership fees are typically considered to be a tax deduction in most advanced industrialized countries.
The future of your membership
Joining one of the relevant criminology/criminal justice societies is a relatively low-cost endeavor. However, over time, you might want to experiment by attending one or more conferences held by these organization/s. This way, you can observe members up close and determine how comfortable you are in this type of setting. But more importantly, it’s not just about joining the ASC, ACJS, etc.; over time, it’s crucial to become actively involved in the activities that these societies conduct.
Photo Credit
Title: Auguste Rodin, The Thinker
Photographer: Sharon Mollerus