NCJ Number
50271
Date Published
1978
Length
30 pages
Annotation
THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (CAP) IN CHESTER, PA., A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION UTILIZING COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AND MINORITIES, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES WITH AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND TWO PARALEGAL WORKERS RESPONSIBLE TO A 12-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IT UTILIZES THE SKILLS OF THE LAY COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AND MINORITIES WHO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CAP BEGAN ITS WORK IN COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PLANNING IN 1974 WHEN IT COLLECTED DATA ON REPORTED VERSUS UNREPORTED CRIME. A GROUP OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING AN ALLIANCE OF NEIGHBORHOODS, PARENTS, YOUTH, AND OTHERS WAS ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE CITIZEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIME PREVENTION. THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF CAP'S CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM IS TO MAXIMIZE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE VISIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. IN ITS EFFORTS TO INCORPORATE CRIME CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN A SURVEY OF COMMUNITY OPINIONS, THE PROJECT INTENDS TO FOCUS ON FOUR AREAS: BLOCK AND NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION, YOUTH INVOLVEMENT, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND INFORMATION. THE PROPOSAL TO FUND AND INITIATE THE CAP STATES THAT THE PROJECT'S OBJECTIVES ARE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ASSISTING PERSONS RECRUITED TO ORGANIZE THEIR BLOCKS AND BY MAKING COMMUNITY SAFETY PRESENTATIONS, AS WELL AS BY ORGANIZING AND/OR ASSISTING BLOCK LEADERS IN CONDUCTING MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS INVOLVING THE POLICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS. THE GOALS OF CAP INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO UTILIZE AND DEVELOP SKILLS, CREATIVITY, AND CIVIC AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION; INCREASING INTERACTION BETWEEN YOUTH AND ADULTS IN PLANNING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES; DEVELOPING COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS, PROJECT ACTIVITIES, AND MATERIALS AIMED AT YOUTH; AND UTILIZING YOUTH FOR ESCORT SERVICES. (DEP)