NCJ Number
160970
Date Published
1994
Length
100 pages
Annotation
Community policing reform in Joliet, Ill. was evaluated with respect to its impacts on police, community residents, and crime.
Abstract
The Aurora/Joliet Neighborhood-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Demonstration Project was funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and matching funds from the Illinois General Revenue. Its goal was to reduce criminal activity, thereby improving the quality of neighborhood health, reducing fear of crime, and increasing community confidence. Data were collected by means of surveys of police officers in November 1991, September 1992, and September 1993 and telephone surveys of random samples of residents of targeted areas 10 months before and 10 months after the project's start. Police statistics were also analyzed to determine the impacts on crime. Results revealed that the Joliet Police Department, with visionary and consistent leadership, has made significant strides toward removing obstacles to change and has introduced some important changes that are associated with favorable changes in police personnel on several dimensions. Nevertheless, achieving external changes in the community remains an elusive goal. Reaching residents in the target area was difficult, and the community survey indicated little progress in their area. Trends in violent crime, property crime, Part II crimes, and incivilities and disorders did not change after the introduction of the program. Findings are consistent with previous evaluations suggesting that it takes longer than expected to plan and implement these initiatives and to achieve changes at the community level. Figures, tables, footnotes, and 106 references