Public Order Crime

Abstract

Public order crime is any behavior which does not necessarily direct any physical harm to a victim, be it an individual or group, but it could invoke fear of imminent danger or violence in their minds; it could be injurious to the actor (i.e., victimless offense), constitute a public nuisance, be injurious to the moral fabric of the society, or constitute a threat to the value system of the society. This entry explains the concept (public order crime) from the lenses of three major sociological perspectives: consensus, conflict, and symbolic interactionist. It produces arguments and counterarguments on the justification for fighting public order crimes.