NCJ Number
118474
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 24 Dated: Special Issue (1987) Pages: 37-41
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the activities and outcomes of five crime prevention initiatives in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract
Although the institutionalization of crime prevention at the national and regional levels is still in its infancy in West Germany, there are some promising individual initiatives with lessons for other countries. A program in Neumuenster developed the concept of "community stations" based on a community crime analysis. Community station responsibilities would include increasing local involvement and participation in crime control; improving community relations; encouraging self-help initiatives; resolving local conflicts; providing crisis intervention; and giving 24-hour legal, financial, and personal advice. The project floundered due to lack of a consensus on its value among social workers, police, and politicians. In Pforzheim, the juvenile welfare committee and the social services committee joined forces with the police, church representatives, and other agencies to advise the Youth Department on policies for the welfare and protection of youth. Programs to prevent juvenile delinquency emerged from this effort. In Hannover, a project involving police-social worker cooperation provides assistance to both offenders and victims. Other crime prevention programs involve diversion from court, custody, and school-based crime prevention. 7 references.