NCJ Number
82648
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The extent and nature of crime prevention programs in Virginia are discussed, based on a survey of law enforcement agencies throughout the State.
Abstract
A questionnaire was sent to the 41 independent cities, the 95 county sheriff and police departments, and the 21 town and city police departments with 10 or more officers. The response rate was 88 percent. The survey requested information on the nature of crime prevention services being provided. Full or part-time crime prevention programs existed in 63 percent of the 156 surveyed jurisdictions; these jurisdictions compose 83 percent of the State's population. Full-time programs, where personnel had no other duties than crime prevention, were found in 19 percent of the jurisdictions, representing 57 percent of the State's population. Part-time programs existed in 44 percent of the jurisdictions, with 26 percent of the State's population. The full-time crime prevention programs were mostly located in the metropolitan areas of Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Tidewater. The most frequently offered programs were Neighborhood Watch (35 percent of survey), community awareness (27 percent), Operation Identification (25 percent), and security surveys (21 percent). Tabular data and the questionnaire are provided.