NCJ Number
51507
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS PUBLIC EDUCATION FILM URGES CITIZENS TO GET INVOLVED IN CRIME PREVENTION AND RESIST HIDING IN THEIR HOMES, BECOMING PRISONERS IN CRIME-RIDDEN NEIGHBORHOODS.
Abstract
POLICE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF PREVENTING CRIME AND ENFORCING THE LAW SINGLE-HANDEDLY. CITIZENS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY MUST TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO REDUCE THE SPIRALING CRIME RATE. THIS FILM EXAMINES SUCCESSFUL CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES AND PRESENTS INTERVIEWS WITH CITIZENS INVOLVED IN THESE PROGRAMS. PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IS SURVEYED THROUGH MEMBERS AND ORGANIZERS OF SUCH PROGRAMS AS THE WHISTLE STOP (MEMBERS CARRY WHISTLES AROUND THEIR NECKS AND SOUND THEM WHEN THEY SEE A SUSPICIOUS EVENT, WITH THE POINT BEING TO ALERT OTHERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO CALL FOR HELP OR ASSIST THE VICTIM AS A GROUP), NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (SIMILAR TO WHISTLE STOP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS MAKE A POINT OF WALKING THE STREETS FROM TIME TO TIME, KEEPING AN EYE OPEN FOR CRIMINAL INCIDENTS), AND C.B. (CITIZENS' BAND RADIO) EXTRA EYES AND EARS CLUB (MEMBERS CRUISE APPOINTED ROUTES AND ALERT POLICE BY MEANS OF RADIOS TO TROUBLESOME INCIDENTS OR TO SITUATIONS WHERE POLICE HELP IS NEEDED. THE FILM ALSO SHOWS HOW DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE COOPERATING WITH PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT CRIME. CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS ARE DEPICTED GIVING ADVICE ON HOME SECURITY, AND PROGRAMS THAT PUT POLICE OFFICERS BACK ON THE STREETS IN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE EXAMINED. (DAG)