NCJ Number
53390
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE WORK OF A TWO-OFFICER UNIT CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH JUVENILE DELINQUENCY DIVERSION, CRIME PREVENTION, AND MAINTAINING A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK WITH RESIDENTS IS DESCRIBED. ITS EFFECTIVENESS IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE UNIT WAS THE OUTGROWTH OF PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS WHICH FOUND THAT THE CONCORD, N.H., POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD A MANAGEABLE CRIME SITUATION AND COULD MOUNT A PREVENTIVE PROGRAM AGAINST CRIME IN GENERAL AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND DRUG ABUSE IN PARTICULAR. THE TWO-MAN UNIT VISITS SCHOOLS; PRESENTS SPECIAL PROGRAMS WARNING CHILDREN AGAINST DRUGS, CHILD MOLESTATION, AND TRAFFIC HAZARDS; AND HAS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS INVOLVING TEENAGERS. THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AIM AT PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. BOTH FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMAL RAP SESSIONS AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES ARE USED. DURING THE SUMMER THE UNIT OFFICERS VISIT THE PARKS TO MAINTAIN THE RAPPORT ESTABLISHED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. CRIME PREVENTION SURVEYS HAVE ALSO BEEN CONDUCTED FOR BUSINESSES AND HOMES, AND THE UNIT OFFICERS MEET REGULARLY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS. DURING THE 1978 GRANT PERIOD, 283 PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO ABOUT 6,808 AREA SCHOOL CHILDREN. THE DELINQUENCY CONTACTS DROPPED 9.5 PERCENT, COMPARED WITH THE PREGRANT PERIOD, WHILE NONDELINQUENCY YOUTH CONTACTS ROSE 85.7 PERCENT. CITIZEN COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PARKS HAVE DROPPED 85 PERCENT. REFUNDING IS URGED. (GLR)