Klaipėdos universitetas

This paper analyzes the changes of the property crime (theft) dynamics and location in Klaipeda city during 1990–2015 years assessing the expression of this phenomenon in the context of changing society. Using theories of the Chicago School of sociology (R. Park and E. Burgess C. Show, H. M. McKay) and the critical insights of its interpretations (E. Sutherland L. Cohen, M. Fels et al.) that allow to us to understand the phenomenon of crime not only in the wide geographic space, but also in the localized environment. The authors present an analysis of territorial clusters (neighborhoods) where phenomenon of theft in Klaipėda is the most located. Assessing geographical, social, economic development of the city regions the authors disclosed the “hottest” points of city in which were recorded this offense. Assessing the considering the geographical, social, economic development of city regions were disclosed the “hottest” city points, where are recorded this offense. Dynamics of this process analyzes in the frame of selected four (1990–1994; 1995–1999; 2000–2004; 2005–2009) periods. The authors, based on forecasts of Lithuanian criminologists about crime trends in Lithuania until 2015, presents their own scientific insights and assessments, which may be useful in developing strategies for the prevention of theft in Klaipėda.

The article explores the dynamics of domestic violence in the city of Klaipėda over the period 2010 to 2014, with the aim of demonstrating how the Republic of Lithuania’s Law on Protection against Domestic Violence (LOPADV), passed in 2011, raised a relatively marginalised phenomenon to the level of a relevant social problem. The statistical data presented in the article call for a detailed analysis of the dynamics of the phenomenon in order to identify the social and legal causes of changes in domestic violence, and to anticipate prerequisites for strategies related to the safety of the victims of violence and the prevention of violence. The article analyses cases of violence registered with Klaipėda city’s Chief Police Commissariat, in an attempt to evaluate the social profile of domestic violence, and to highlight the essential characteristics of perpetrators and victims. By transcending the rather narrow boundaries of the psychological treatment of this phenomenon, an attempt is made to identify the most important empirical characteristics that would lead in the long run to an opportunity for the sociological interpretation of the phenomenon.