NCJ Number
74383
Date Published
1980
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Crime prevention strategies and programs of the South Australian Police Department are described.
Abstract
The South Australian Police Department is actively involved in crime prevention not only through routine policing, surveillance, and apprehension of offenders, but through programs designed to remove criminal opportunities by educating potential victims in property protection. One program is the use of a crime prevention unit to teach and advise the public about securing business premises and private residences. Another program, 'Crime Alert,' initially involved police going door-to-door to enlist residents of a suburban community with a high incidence of housebreaking for attendance at a display of security equipment and a film on security measures. Plans are currently underway to extend this program throughout the State, including rural areas. A research division of the police department performs research aimed at improving crime prevention efforts. Crime prevention research has been conducted in such areas as (1) collecting data on rape, with a view toward developing a prevention campaign; (2) a demographic study of metropolitan crime, which will permit predicting the frequency and patterns of crime; (3) the measurement of preventive policing through a cost-benefit analysis; and (4) an assessment of the role of and accountability for crime prevention. The overall crime prevention strategy emphasizes cooperation between the police, other divisions of the criminal justice system, and the public. Evaluation data bearing upon the effectiveness of the crime prevention efforts are not yet available. For related articles, see NCJ 74380.