NCJ Number
216927
Date Published
2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the knowledge base and international norms pertinent to urban crime prevention, this paper presents examples of crime prevention strategies that have successfully applied empirically based urban crime-prevention strategies, followed by a discussion of the features of a countrywide institutional framework for maintaining crime prevention efforts.
Abstract
Prestigious reviews of crime-prevention research have consistently shown the effectiveness of specific crime-prevention strategies. Proven strategies include addressing particular social causes of crime (inconsistent parenting, dropping out of school, etc.); reducing opportunities for crime; and using enforcement measures strategically and in partnership. The examples of exemplary projects that have helped reduce urban crime focus on early childhood and primary-school children, as well as secondary/high school youth. The key features of each program are outlined. The proposed countrywide crime-prevention structure involves the creation of crime-prevention centers at the national, State, and local levels under government sponsorship. Individually and cooperatively these centers will plan and coordinate crime-prevention strategies that involve the participation of public safety and other government agencies as well as public and private civic institutions. The centers will be responsible for securing necessary funding for crime prevention projects and ensure that personnel involved in the projects are trained to do the tasks appropriate for reaching goals that have been set. The centers will also establish data systems that serve the methods of evaluating the effectiveness of each crime-prevention project. Evaluation findings will then be used by the centers in making ongoing program modifications. 2 figures and 15 references