Preparing for the Next Boom

Abstract

This book started with Thomas, Smith, and Ortiz’s contention that if a social problem can be predicted it can be prevented. Previous chapters highlighted the challenges that emerge after a boom occurs; this chapter provides a list of 15 strategies that can reduce boomtown effects. These strategies include responding to a boom knowing it will eventually end, and a key recommendation is that local officials channel revenues from the boom into their community’s physical infrastructure and investments in human resources to create long-term advantages. Given the focus of the book, many of these strategies involve responses to antisocial behavior, disorder, and crime, although all social problems tend to be interconnected, and it is difficult to disentangle crime from population changes, the characteristics and job-related roles of the newcomer population, an inadequate physical infrastructure, and a lack of health, education, and social services to support the local justice system.