NCJ Number
48602
Editor(s)
D SZABOO
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ACTION IN PREVENTING CRIME AND INSURING THE PROMOTION OF JUSTICE IS SHOWN IN THIS FILM.
Abstract
THE FILM DEPICTS A SCENE IN WHICH A CHILD WAS HIT BY A CAR WHILE CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN ASKING FOR A CROSSING GUARD FOR SEVERAL YEARS, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, BUT THE CITY WOULD NOT GIVE THEM ONE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE GROUP HAD ENOUGH SUPPORT TO GET THE POLICE AND ALDERMEN TO HIRE A GUARD. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHICH WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. IN ORDER TO GET ACTION, INDIVIDUALS MUST BECOME INVOLVED WITH A COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL ACTING ALONE TO SUCCEED AGAINST AN ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT. COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BUSINESSES ARE URGED TO BECOME INVOLVED AND HELP THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY OFFERING JOBS TO OFFENDERS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON PROBATION OR PAROLE. THEY CAN ALSO HELP BY SPONSORING WORKSHOPS TO INSTRUCT PAROLEES ON JOB INTERVIEW PROCEDURES. A PROJECT CALLED OPERATION DARE WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP EX-OFFENDERS GET JOBS. OTHER PROJECTS HAVE BEEN STARTED TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT CRIME AND COMMUNITY ACTION TO GIVE THEM A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS. A COMMUNITY OPENNESS MUST BE CREATED SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE PROUD OF WHERE THEY LIVE AND CAN BE ENCOURAGED TO INITIATE CHANGE. FOR RELATED FILMS, SEE NCJ 48603, 48604, AND 48605. (BAC)