Model Description:

This is a system dynamic model. This model is simulating the problem that is occurring in the town of Bourke NSW. It represents that as there is a lack of activities for the youth to participate in they take part in crime to satisfy their boredom. So, the model demonstrates what happens to the crime rates of the youth when more community investment is put in as well as what happens to crime when police presence is increased in Bourke. This simulation is displayed over 5 years monthly.

Assumptions:

<!- Community investment is distributed equally between all the activities.

2.    Community investment affects participation rates and reduces the crime rates.

3.    The number of police affects the caught rate of crimes

4.    When investment increases crime decreases

5.    When police presence increases crime rates decreases but the number of youth caught increases

6.    The minimum amount in detention is 3 months so there is a 3-month delay – also detention released occur every 3 months and they are released in batches.

7.    The amount being released corresponds to the amount caught

Interesting Results:

Police (5), Community Investment (0) – this is a based result showing crime is high and the caught rate is low with no police presence

Police (30), Community Investment (0) – it shows crime is decreasing and amount caught is increasing as more police are present

Police (45), Community Investment (0.2) – it displays that crime is decreasing and the other activities are becoming more popular and is satisfying the youths boredom as well. Boredom also decreases.

Police (65), Community Investment (0.4) -  crime and boredom have reduced dramatically due to an increase in investment. Also, the caught rate is becoming more frequent. Also sporting and tafe activities are becoming more prevalent.

Police (100), Community Investment (0.5) – Max police and community investment, shows crime, boredom and amount caught have diminished. Sport and tafe have increase rapidly.

<!- Variables involved:

<!- Community investment – is an adjusted variable as it displays the increase in investment in the community showing a maximum of 50% and a minimum of 5%. This variable can be adjusted with the community investment slider.

<!- Caught variable – it determines the rate of being caught by dividing the amount of police by 100 to get a percentage. This is fixed, but is adjusted by the police stock. This variable can be adjusted with the police slider.

      Educated Rate - is a fixed variable with a if statement saying once crime is lower than 100 people more people are leaving tafe educated.This is to show that the rate changes once crime decreases.

      Leaving rate - is a variable that is fixed with a if statement saying once crime reaches less than a 100 it reduces the amount leaving. This is to show that the rate changes once crime decreases.

      Stocks:

      Tafe - Trade skills, Hospitality, vet, personal training

      Sport - AFL, Rugby, Netball, Volleyball, Soccer, Cricket

      Boredom - in the community walking around the streets, at home doing nothing and looking for trouble.

      Youth - population of youth

      Crime - Stealing, breaking and entering, drinking under age, taking illegal substances, assault and destroying property.

      Caught - gets caught by police.

      Police - on duty to take of the community.

      Detention - jail/juvenile detention is the punishment for the crimes.

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