NCJ Number
62109
Date Published
1978
Length
348 pages
Annotation
DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE CITIZENS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS OF MAINE REGARDING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
ELEVEN MAJOR STUDY GROUPS OPERATE IN MAINE, INVOLVING OVER 1200 INDIVIDUALS. THESE GROUPS ARE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SUBCOMMITTEES OF POLICE, COURTS, CORRECTIONS, AND JUVENILE SERVICES GROUPS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES. THE STANDARDS AND GOALS PROGRAM FEATURES DISCUSSION OF ISSUES WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS AND DEVELOPMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH COVER ALL FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF THE SYSTEM. IN THIS SECTION OF THE STANDARDS AND GOALS REPORT, SEVERAL AREAS ARE ADDRESSED INCLUDING RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES, EDUCATIONAL POLICY, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, RELIGIOUS INVOLVEMENT, INTEGRITY IN GOVERNMENT, PROGRAMS FOR THE REDUCTION OF CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY, AND CITIZENS' OPINIONS. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION INCLUDE FOSTERING COMMUNITY EFFORTS AS THE MAJOR FORCE IN REDUCING CRIME, BRINGING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC AND INVOLVING CITIZENS IN THE PROCESSES, BROADENING EDUCATIONAL POLICY IN ORDER TO STIMULATE GREATER INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOSTER SOCIALIZATION, AND DEVELOPING EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES THAT WILL EXTEND FULL EMPLOYMENT TO ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY. THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE CONCLUDES THAT CRIME IS ROOTED IN BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY. IT IS RELATED TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE A SOCIETY OFFERS OR AN INDIVIDUAL CAN ACHIEVE, AND TO PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND DEGREE OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT. VIEWING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS BEING COMPOSED OF POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS ACTIVITIES FAILS TO PLACE THE RESPONSIBILITY WHERE IT BELONGS, WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE INDIVIDUAL. IT IS EASIER TO PLACE THE BURDEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE THAN TO ACCEPT CRIME CONTROL AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT AS BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL PEOPLE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THE CITIZENS OF MAINE HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS IN COMBATING AND PREVENTING CRIME. BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND REFERENCE NOTES ARE INCLUDED WITH EACH CHAPTER. (LWM)