COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND CRIME PREVENTION

• NCJ Number: 32016
• Author(s): S ARTHUR
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Toronto
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE CRIME PREVENTION WORKSHOP HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO CENTRE OF CRIMINOLOGY ON MAY 21ST AND 22ND, 1975

Annotation

THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY HANDLING OF SOCIALLY DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IS DEFINED, AND THE BENEFITS, BY-PRODUCTS, AND IMPLEMENTATION METHODS OF SUCH AN APPROACH TO CRIME ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

IT IS ARGUED THAT A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO CRIME PREVENTION MUST NECESSARILY INVOLVE COMMUNITY-BASED HANDLING OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS THROUGH SEPARATE, NONCRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PROCEDURES. BENEFITS OF SUCH A PROCEDURE MAY INCLUDE: AVOIDANCE OF STIGMATIZATION FROM CONTACT WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES; MORE RATIONAL HANDLING OF SUCH OFFENSES AS VICTIMLESSCRIMES; REDUCTION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM COSTS; AND GREATER POTENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE CRIMINAL REHABILITATION. PROBLEMS IN DEFINING A 'COMMUNITY', IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF SUCH AN APPROACH, AND IN MAINTAINING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THIS TYPE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT MAY EVENTUALLY REDUCE COMMUNITY ALIENATION WHICH CAUSES CRIME AND IMPROVE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME.