Crime and the Federal Reaction

The country was fascinated by criminals in the early years of the Great Depression as bootlegging gangsters like Al Capone dominated the daily newspapers. Bank robberies, violent shootouts, and murders were regularly reported and homicide rates, which had been rising since 1901, peaked in 1935 (Kelso, 1994). These high-profile crimes were not the norm, however, and many historians attribute them to Prohibition and organized crime rather than the Depression (Young, 2007).
The rates of property crimes did fluctuate during this era, but the overall crime rate in the United States decreased from 1933-1960 (Kelso, 1994). In fact, crimes rates fell by 50% between 1933 and 1940 (Young, 2007). This dramatic decrease was probably the result of many factors, including the end of Prohibition and an increasingly strong, organized federal law enforcement response.
Before the 1930s, the prosecution of crime was largely seen as the responsibility of local and state authorities. Americans were suspicious of a national police force and its potential misuse. Widespread corruption at the local level, an increase in interstate crime, and unsuccessful investigations like the Lindbergh kidnapping, however, helped make the case for increased federal involvement in law enforcement (Theoharis, 1999).
President Roosevelt and Attorney General Homer Cummings helped persuade passage of legislation that greatly expanded federal law enforcement authority. By 1934, bank robbery, transportation of stolen property across state lines, racketeering, and fleeing a state to avoid prosecution were all federal crimes and FBI Agents could now carry guns, execute warrants, and make arrests (Theoharis, 1999). The FBI was emerging as a professional, specialized arm of law enforcement and their enhanced authority enabled them to take over investigations previously left to local authorities (Kelso, 1994). Criminals like the infamous “Bonnie and Clyde” had long exploited local law enforcement and their inability to give chase outside their own jurisdictions, but the FBI ended that. By 1934, John Dillinger, “Pretty Boy” Floyd, “Baby Face” Nelson, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were all dead, most at the hands of federal agents (Theoharis, 1999). The FBI’s success rate helped gain greater public support for federal involvement in law enforcement, secured increased funding, and saw crime rates that steadily decreased for the next three decades (Kelso, 1994).

References:

Kelso, W.A. (1994). Poverty and the underclass: Changing perceptions of the poor in America. New York, NY: University Press.

Police with tommy guns [Photograph]. (1932). Retrieved March 1, 2011, from:
http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/BE033383.html

President Roosevelt signs crime bill into law [Photograph]. (1934). Retrieved March 1, 2011, from: http://stamford.dems.info/album/index.html

Theoharis, A.G. (1999). The FBI: a comprehensive reference guide. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.

[Untitled image of F.B.I. seal]. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/seal-motto

[Untitled photograph of Al Capone]. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3030960048_ab69f3a990_z.jpg

Young, W.H. & Young, N.K. (2007). The great depression in America: a cultural Encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Corp., Inc.