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Crime is rampant in our cities and towns across North America. Whereas many states in the US carry the death penalty for the more severe crimes, Canada does not have a death penalty at all. There has been debate for many years, believing that it would be a deterrent, to murders in particular. If for no other reason, it may give some form of comfort and closure to the families who have lost a loved one to crime. However, many still insist that it's an outdated, barbaric way to operate the judicial system. Others will point out that far too many innocent people have been put to death, their innocence soon discovered after the fact. Some will even argue that it's not a deterrent in the least, and they might just be absolutely correct in their determination.

If you were to use the states in the US that do have the death penalty as your
determining guideline, you will notice that the crime rates are still high and murder cases still present themselves before the courts at an alarming rate. It obviously isn't deterring many from brandishing weapons and using them indiscriminately. One would think that if they had a fear of being caught and then put to death for their actions, that they would think twice about what they're about to do. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Much of society has become so desensitized to crime and the true value to another human's life. There are many reasons for this, and when compiled all together, it makes for a very volatile existence. Some of these reasons are as follows:

1) Living in crime ridden neighborhoods. When crime is all around you while growing up, you do become very desensitized to it. It becomes a part of your ever day life and is similar to living in the midst of a war zone. It almost comes to the point of "kill or be killed".

2) Upbringing, broken homes, poverty. The breakdown of the family can also create the breakdown of family values and good moral ethics. Without proper guidance towards the right path in life, it is easy to become embroiled in a lifestyle of criminal activity.

3) Gangs. Often times, the only "family" one comes to know is the gang and the gang way of life. Their only influences are from others who have grown to be so angry at the "system". Sometimes there is actually recognition for breaking the law. It's a right of passage for many. By participating in a criminal act, it's their step into manhood or adulthood. In a number of cases, they don't even value their own lives as they have lost all hope. When

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