NCJ Number
134581
Date Published
1989
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This 1987 survey of 103 West German cities explores what specific crime prevention measures have been taken.
Abstract
The results of the questionnaire (with a 90-percent return rate) indicated that most cities, though aware of crime problems, left concrete prevention efforts to the police. Because the tasks and goals of social workers, city planners, and police are often similar, crime prevention was frequently addressed by relevant communal agencies. However, more determined and aggressive communal efforts, especially in the prevention of juvenile delinquency, would greatly enhance the impact of police programs. In addition, increased cooperation among agencies would make individual efforts more effective. Thus, interdisciplinary agencies which coordinate the various crime prevention efforts have substantially improved crime prevention in some locations and should be introduced in all cities. The article concludes that communities must become aware of the needs of crime prevention. A short bibliography and the questionnaire are appended.