NCJ Number
193218
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2001 Pages: 447-457
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article focuses on interagency relationships within community crime prevention and presents findings of research on relationships between community-oriented welfare agencies and police agencies.
Abstract
The discussion emphasized that crime prevention through controlling and disciplining the most vulnerable groups blocks their opportunities for participation and emancipation. Installing such a crime prevention model leads to the further exclusion of these groups. The empirical research gathered information through interviews with youth workers, streetcorner workers, community rebuilders, and police officers in four deprived communities in four cities. Results confirmed that interagency cooperation within community crime prevention creates tensions and conflicts. These findings led to consideration of two models: a consensus model and a conflict model. Findings suggested that a conflict model is the preferable model for developing a socially just crime prevention model. This model accepts that agencies have conflicting goals and suggests the desirability of relationships in which agencies hinder each other as little as possible. The analysis concludes that ensuring maximum opportunities for agencies to strive toward their own goals is a crucial element in protecting the rights and needs of a community’s most vulnerable groups. 29 references