NCJ Number
149052
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
In Anchorage, Alaska, community patrols were established in 1992 with help from the Anchorage Police Department due to concern over rising crime rates in the city, open drug dealing, prostitution, and public perceptions that children were no longer safe on the streets.
Abstract
Over the past 2 years, more than 100 citizens have participated in the community patrol network. Patrols operate during all hours of the day and night but concentrate primarily on Fridays and Saturdays, and they work closely with the police department and local businesses. Basic guidelines have been established for Anchorage community patrols. Standard operating procedures are described for organizing and forming community patrols, with emphasis on membership, boundaries, incorporation, bylaws, Federal taxes, and structure. Training workshops for new patrols are outlined, and patrol equipment, action plans, and tactics are discussed. Specific information is provided to help patrols deal with prostitution, drug dealing, and after-hours clubs. Safety precautions patrols should follow are noted, as well as arrest procedures, guidelines for working with law enforcement, and reporting and recordkeeping. An appendix lists Anchorage's police codes, and sample log sheets for community patrols are included.