NCJ Number
226425
Date Published
2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of the Faith-Based Initiative, Crime Prevention, defined as the collaboration of faith-communities working in a comprehensive partnership to prevent and reduce crime, ensure public safety, improve employment and educational opportunities, and strengthen families and communities through the assistance of federally funded opportunities.
Abstract
The Faith-Based Initiative, Crime Prevention is administered and facilitated through 11 Federal or federally sponsored organizations. Numerous funded programs operated by faith-based organizations are model crime prevention programs, such as block watches, resident associations, curfew programs, gang prevention efforts, national night-out rallies, mentoring programs, awareness campaigns, school-based programs, and crime prevention through environmental design. Prior to the Federal funding offered to faith-based organizations, these organizations lacked a broad base of financial resources that would enable them to provide holistic services beyond their own members and neighborhoods. Now, through the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, many faith-based and community programs or organizations are able to apply for Federal grants that target a range of factors in families and communities that are related to delinquency and crime; however, empirical or evidence-based research is lacking on the overall effectiveness of faith-based crime-prevention programs compared to secular crime-prevention programs that provide similar resources or services. Still, crime prevention programs operated under the auspices of faith-based organizations provide an expanded cadre of motivated individuals committed to improving the safety and quality of life of people at risk for criminal victimization and offending. 5 listings for further reading