Volume 19 Issue 3 

Taking on the theme of 'Crime Waves' proved to be challenging due to the wide range of intersecting issues that fall under this broad umbrella. And as we pieced this issue together, new cracks emerged almost on a daily basis.

I urge readers to turn to Roger Gomm’s analysis of what led the Southport riots in the UK hit a boiling point (page 16). Jeannie Barr adds crucial context for emergency planners and resilience professionals, noting: “Crime can erode trust within communities, a crucial element in effective emergency response. It can discourage people from working together for the benefit of their community, or even make them afraid to do so.”

This edition includes excellent analyses of how crime manifests across various countries and regions. Elton Cunha and Carlos Alberto de Araujo Gomes Jr dissect the intricate web of organised crime in Latin America, while Lucy Cuthbertson takes a closer look at whether Japan’s remarkably low crime rate is as clear-cut as it seems. On page 20, Lina Kolesnikova warns of the rise in middle-class terrorism through her examination of the recent attacks in Dagestan, Russia.

I also recommend Patricia Smith’s insightful piece on compassion fatigue. Since the pandemic, empathy seems to be on a decline; how can emergency responders – or anyone really – grappling with their own crises find the strength to lend a helping hand? This issue also has a series of articles on the flood crisis in Brazil earlier this year, examining everything from policy failures (page 72) to how the innovative use of combining dogs and drones eased response efforts (page 74).

Additionally, we explored the intersection of climate change and crime, looking at how floods lead to displacement, spike criminal activity, and even contribute to human trafficking.

This edition is a sobering reality check of the effort required to maintain stability, even as we continue to face challenges. Yet, press on we must, and press on we will.