NCJ Number
36375
Date Published
1976
Length
150 pages
Annotation
FINAL REPORT ON A COORDINATED COMMUNITY/LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DIRECT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL PHASES OF 'CRIME PREVENTION' THROUGHOUT SAN MATEO COUNTY (CA).
Abstract
THIS PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE LACK OF STANDARDIZATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE PROJECT GOALS, A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED USING MASS MEDIA TECHNIQUES, WITH THE REST OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES BEING DEVOTED TO DEVELOPING AND ESTABLISHING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND THE DELIVERY OF SERVICE ON A COUNTY-WIDE LEVEL. THE PROGRAM STRUCTURED INCLUDED COUNTY-WIDE POLICE CHIEFS' AND CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARDS AND LOCAL CAPTURE CITIZEN'S CRIME PREVENTION COMMITTEES. CAPTURE-SPONSORED PROGRAMS INVOLVED NEIGHBORHOOD HOME ALERT, JUDICIAL FORUMS, WOMEN'S AWARENESS PROGRAMS, AND A JUNIOR CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER PROGRAM. THIS REPORT ALSO DETAILS PROGRAM PUBLICITY EFFORTS, PUBLIC SPEAKING PRESENTATIONS, AND LITERATURE. THE EVALUATION METHODOLOGY EMPLOYED INCLUDED FOCUSED INTERVIEWS WITH PROJECT ADMINISTRATORS AND POLICYMAKERS REGARDING GOALS ACHIEVEMENT AND A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF A SAMPLING OF CITIZENS WHO HAD ATTENDED CAPTURE PROGRAMS REGARDING PROGRAM IMPACT. THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION REVEALED THAT PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION SUFFERED FROM A LACK OF STAFF EXPERIENCED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THAT THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN THE EXPECTATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS AND WHAT WAS ACTUALLY REALIZED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT CAPTURE WAS ATTRACTING NEW CITIZEN PARTICIPATION, MOST OF WHOM DEMONSTRATED A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROGRAM CONTENT. OVER 83 PERCENT OF THE CITIZENS SURVEYED INDICATED THAT THEY FELT BETTER EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THE CRIME THREAT THAN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM.