NCJ Number
53588
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 33-35,47
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE RESPONSE OF THE CITIZENS ENGAGED IN ANTICRIME EFFORT (CEACE) PROGRAM TO COMMUNITY NEEDS IN WEST COVINA, CALIF., AND THE PROGRAM'S USE OF COMMUNITY AND AUXILIARY RESOURCES AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF BUDGETARY RESTRICTIONS, ALTERNATIVE MANPOWER RESOURCES HAD TO BE SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT CEACE AS A WAY OF PREVENTING CRIME AND PARTICULARLY BURGLARIES. THREE METHODS WERE EMPLOYED TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF THE SEVERITY OF AND NEED FOR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION: NEIGHBORHOOD SATURATION, NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AND OFFICER CONTACT. THE LATTER METHOD WAS EFFECTIVE IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND SUCCEEDED IN ACTIVELY INVOLVING STREET POLICE OFFICERS IN CRIME PREVENTION. WITH AID FROM CIVIC GROUPS AND THROUGH THE TRAINING AND UTILIZATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS AND EXPLORERS TO INCREASE MANPOWER FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CEACE, CITIZEN AWARENESS OF CEACE PROGRAMS WAS ENHANCED BY THE USE OF MEDIA (RADIO, TELEVISION, AND NEWSPAPERS). IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE SUCCESS OF CEACE, THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT OF THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED A 30-DAY CALLBACK FOR FOLLOWUP WITH RESIDENTS. THIS WAS DONE TO REASSURE CITIZENS THAT THE POLICE DID CARE AND TO SEE IF CITIZENS HAD IMPLEMENTED THE SUGGESTED BURGLARY PREVENTION IMPROVEMENTS. AS OF JUNE 1977, CEACE HAD REGISTERED SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 311 RESIDENTS INSPECTED FOR SECURITY MEASURES, 793 SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS CONTACTED AND ANTIBURGLARY LITERATURE DISTRIBUTED, 29 NEIGHBORHOOD ANTIBURGLARY PROGRAMS CONDUCTED, 265 COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS INSPECTED, 850 COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS CONTACTED AND ANTIBURGLARY MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED, AND 230 TELEPHONE EMERGENCY CARDS UPDATED. THE NEED FOR IMPROVED POLICE-CITIZEN CONTACT ON A PREVENTATIVE BASIS IS STRESSED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)