As I work my way around the state of NC, I have unfortunately discovered that my prevention services are not needed here. I’m acutely aware of the mixed bag of reviews by business owners – the majority - welcome me, seeing that my presence is a deterrent to crime and keeping their customers safe while they shop. Others, not so much, who cause trouble. Which tells me something too.
It is my perception, that the discovery of these three areas of concentrated pockets, are spread out - but how far and wide is unknown. However, what I’m seeing, is they are increasing in number, thought the numbers of each are not verified, it could be more or less. The size of each may be bigger or smaller. This projected analysis is only for a concentrated area of the state of NC, nowhere else. The topographical map above has been altered by me to show the following:
It would not be surprising that while fraud prevention services are mitigating risk in one city, that another area or state not covered would have an increase in criminal activity or fraud occurrences. It also wouldn’t surprise me to find a 50% increase in robberies and larcenies – a criminal uptick that would last a couple months. Another uptick could last for a year, and future upticks could last longer – a few years to a decade. I don’t forecast the latter to happen for several years, at least.
The trajectory for criminal and illicit activity that involves corruption, bribery and embezzlement is much higher due to 1. the lack of internal controls to prevent fraud in a company (to include billionaires who may do not have a succession plan if their heirs do not want to take over the family business) and 2. individuals not appropriately financially planning for their future.
There are many instances of white collar crime, and shell businesses going on in both moderate and upper end outdoor shopping malls. In order for the elite to keep up appearances so that their mediocre lifestyle and poverty living is not discovered, their engagement in asset misappropriation, embezzlement, and fraud-related corruption is done daily. Not much can be discovered without looking at who is cooking the books, but examination of their income, their lifestyle, where they live (their zip code), the type of dwelling they live in and the square footage, and the car(s) they drive can all be scrutinized to determine if individuals are truly wealthy or pretending to be.
For example, the new red corvette parked in front of a less than 600 square foot home, in a poverty stricken area known for drive-by shootings and drug dealing needs to be examined.
Another example: It can be a completely different story, when the white Lamborghini owner is misappropriating assets from his company. This is to afford the flashy silver jewelry he wears on his wrists to make it appear he has more than he has. I wonder when the last time he actually filed for his taxes. If it’s been going on for years, his company may take a significant hit due to the tax debt owed. Besides a lifestyle reduction, the judge may order additional tests to ensure that a medical illness is not the underlying cause for gross malfeasance.
For individuals living an honest life, earning an honest living, their lifestyle is within means of their income, their socio-economic level and the older cars that they drive, the older buildings/houses/apts they live in are appropriate. However, what I’m concerned with is, are they getting appropriate medical/health/dental care, nutritional services, counseling and support services? If their income does not allow for this, how is our government ensuring that they are receiving not just the minimal care for basic human needs, but that they are being fed foods that are nutritionally adjusted for their medical, healthcare and nutritional needs? To ensure that their foundation is built with the appropriate frameworks, the challenges that these lower areas face may need to be adjusted.
Children, teenagers and young adults may or may not have appropriate role models in their community in which they can rely on to teach appropriate ways of being civil, learning how to resolve conflict to solve a problem. It is unfortunate that they see the worst of crime and people under constant stress and consternation. Growing up in that environment, can make a big impression on a young mind that shows them bullying, harassing, and threatening people for money is how you make a living. For our culture to survive, and to prevent fraud from occurring in these towns, there needs to be changes in how we teach and serve as role models to the young. It can be argued that the problem is too big to address, however, institutions, schools, authorities and lawmakers, nonprofits can begin presently by instituting changes that create a bedrock to grow from. People can be retrained to think and do differently, moving forward.
PC: Vadym Ivanchenko
