NCJ Number
161696
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Faced with challenges of policing drug-related activities in low-income housing communities, some police departments have developed creative strategies that cross traditional law enforcement boundaries.
Abstract
Several police agencies focus on improving the physical environment of public housing, and efforts have been made in some cities to provide adequate lighting in public housing complexes and to demolish abandoned buildings. In other cities, police agencies work with public housing officials to install building access control. Removing drug dealers is often a primary goal of police agencies, public housing agencies, and public housing residents. This has been accomplished through increased enforcement and prosecution, asset seizure, and lease enforcement. Reducing the demand for drugs in public housing is also important, and efforts in this area have focused on sting operations, drug user education, youth diversion, and drug treatment. The need for adequate intelligence on drug activities in public housing developments and the importance of empowering public housing residents are emphasized.