NCJ Number
176164
Date Published
1999
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Six U.S. cities have substantially improved the reality and perception of safety in their communities through effective, comprehensive, and community-wide approaches to crime prevention.
Abstract
Crime prevention initiatives of the six cities (Boston, Denver, Fort Worth, Hartford, New York City, and San Diego) are described using a uniform template in which crime reduction impact is assessed using three measures: total crime index rate, property crime index rate, and violent crime index rate. Descriptions for each city outline the process and the program content of crime prevention initiatives. The process includes collaboratively diagnosing local crime problems, assessing community assets and resources, forming coalitions and partnership-based networks, and integrating crime control and prevention strategies into a balanced approach. Program content varies by city but all crime prevention initiatives share a similar experience, the use of a preventive process that targets efforts on key situational and social causes of local crime. Recommendations to improve the crime prevention efforts of cities are offered, and a crime prevention matrix is appended that lists best practice programs. 55 references, 2 tables, and 7 figures