NCJ Number
196748
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: Summer 2002 Pages: 5-10
Date Published
2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the successful efforts of a community to stop the deterioration of their neighborhood by partnering with the County District Attorney's office, the city, and the local police department to implement a program of "smart prosecution" of law breakers.
Abstract
Within a year, the community of Oceanside's Fireside Park was able to stop minor crime before the community became known for excessive calls for service from the police department and repeated prosecution of felons by the DA's office. This article describes how this was accomplished including a description of the community involved. Repairing broken windows and community partnering with prosecutors was the beginning of this project. A new type of prosecutor, the pro-active community prosecutor, was devised. A description of the strategy that was utilized, neighborhood policing to address problems of shootings, transients, and prostitutes is included. The results of this project are described, and it is credited with a transformation of the downtown Oceanside community being completed in less than a year. For example, the word was put out that chronic alcoholics and prostitutes would be violating their probation if they were seen in the downtown area. It is noted that this community prosecution program gives both residents and offenders a chance at recovery.