NCJ Number
226091
Editor(s)
Deborah Spence
Date Published
January 2008
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This inaugural issue of the “Community Policing Dispatch” first profiles it as a monthly forum for sharing the latest ideas, perspectives, and theories on community policing and its implementation, followed by a series of articles on identity theft and the definition of “community policing.”
Abstract
The article on identity theft documents its prevalence as one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Identity theft involves the stealing of personal information from victims that enables the thieves to pose as the victim in committing fraud and other crimes that harm the victim financially not only by depleting their finances but by undermining the quality of their credit status. This article describes the criminal methods used to obtain personal information of victims and the ways this information is used by the thieves for their own profit at the expense of the victim. The article then advises that by working together, the public, community organizations, local businesses, banks, and law enforcement agencies can develop ways to deter identity thieves. The Office of Community-Oriented Policing (COPS) has prepared a top-10 list of ways citizens can protect themselves from identity theft during the holiday season. The review of the definition of “community policing” presents the following COPS definition: “Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organization strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues, such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.” This is followed by descriptions of training opportunities that pertain to identity theft and the drug connection, as well as an online Identity Theft course sponsored by the Oklahoma Regional Community Policing Institute. This online course provides general information about identity theft. Recent COPS activities are also described.