NCJ Number
46935
Date Published
1977
Length
36 pages
Annotation
A CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO CRIME PREVENTION FOCUSES ON THE ROLE OF THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY AND OFFERS PRACTICAL ADVICE, IDEAS, AND PROGRAMS FOR FACILITATING POLICE AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION IS THE ANTICIPATION, RECOGNITION, AND APPRAISAL OF THE CRIME RISK AND THE INITIATION OF ACTIONS DESIGNED TO REMOVE OR REDUCE THAT RISK. PREVENTION INVOLVES REDUCING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIME AND INCREASING THE RISK OF ARREST FOR THE CRIMINAL. FOR THE CITIZEN, CRIME PREVENTION INVOLVES MEETING AND COOPERATING WITH POLICE AND OTHER FELLOW CITIZENS TO PLAN AND OPERATE BLOCK-LEVEL ANTICRIME PROGRAMS. FOR THE POLICE, CRIME PREVENTION MEANS ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH MEETINGS WITH CITIZENS, PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, AND SECURITY SURVEYS OF BUSINESS AND SECURITY TRAINING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION EFFORT WILL REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNED TO DISSEMINATE CRIME PREVENTION INFORMATION, MOTIVATE ACTION, EVALUATE PERFORMANCE, AND DEVELOP A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. SUCH AN ORGANIZATION CAN SERVE AS A LIAISON AMONG NEIGHBORS AND POLICE AND CRIME PREVENTION EXPERTS. THERE ARE FOUR ASPECTS OF HOME SECURITY PROGRAMMING: (1) DENY THE BURGLAR ANY REWARDS FOR HIS CRIME BY KEEPING VALUABLES OUT OF SIGHT AND INACCESSIBLE; (2) DETER THE BURGLAR BY GIVING THE HOME AN OCCUPIED APPEARANCE; (3) DELAY THE INTRUDER BY INSTALLING LOCKS ON DOORS AND WINDOWS; AND (4) DETECT THE BURGLAR IN THE HOME THROUGH INSTALLATION OF ALARM SYSTEMS. THE BEST WAY TO INCREASE PERSONAL SAFETY ON THE STREET, IN THE CAR, AND IN THE HOME IS TO STAY ALERT. SPECIFIC MEASURES TO REDUCE CRIMES SUCH AS PURSESNATCHING, ARMED AND UNARMED ROBBERY, RAPE, OBSCENE TELEPHONE CALLS, AND FRAUDS ARE PROVIDED. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POLICE/CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT CAN ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED TO INCREASE PERSONAL, BUSINESS, AND HOME SECURITY. THESE INCLUDE HOME SECURITY SURVEYS BY POLICE, USING OPERATION IDENTIFICATION, CITIZEN USE OF WHISTLES OR FREON HORNS TO ALERT THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A CRIME SITUATION, CHILD SAFETY PROGRAMS, BLOCK OR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS FOR CITIZEN CRIME REPORTING, AND NEIGHBORHOOD CITIZEN PATROLS OR COMMUNITY WALKS. COMMERCIAL SECURITY SURVEYS, CIVILIAN RADIO FLEET PATROLS, AUXILIARY POLICE AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE OFFICERS ARE AMONG THE COMMUNITYWIDE PROGRAMS WHICH CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE. LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN AID IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND THE INCORPORATION OF SECURITY STANDARDS INTO LOCAL BUILDING CODES, THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND THROUGH THE INITIATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAMS. OPPORTUNITIES ALSO EXIST THROUGH GREATER MOBILIZATION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE MEDIA, AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES FOR ORGANIZING, MOBILIZING, AND MAINTAINING COMMUNITY EFFORTS ARE PRESENTED. INFORMATION RESOURCES ARE ALSO LISTED. (JAP)