NCJ Number
109697
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 494 Dated: (November 1987) Pages: 105-110
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A program led by blacks in their own communities and involving informal schools that teach African-American heritage and culture is a promising approach to crime prevention that contrasts with other community crime prevention efforts because it opens rather than closes black communities.
Abstract
Street crime disproportionately involves blacks, and the governmental responses involving law and order have failed. A newer approach has been to organize local communities, especially in white and middle-class neighborhoods. However, the block watches and patrols that these programs involve serve as defensive measures that lock up communities. These programs do not address the causes of crime. A contrasting approach is provided by the national program called Crime Is Not a Part of Our Black Heritage. Blacks take ownership of the programs through organizing with the help of the media and through the informal schools. Preliminary evaluation results are favorable. 7 footnotes. (Author abstract modified)