NCJ Number
158531
Date Published
1994
Length
103 pages
Annotation
Based upon the principles of effective programs, this resource manual provides strategies and practices to drive drug dealers out of public housing.
Abstract
Recommended tactical objectives are to broadcast community intolerance for drug dealing, deny access to space and prevent a drug market from opening up, and remove the drug dealers' sense of impunity. Broadcasting community intolerance for drug dealing can be achieved by residents' being responsible for controlling behavior in their neighborhoods, establishing uniform patrol beats in the neighborhood, developing resident action groups and resident patrols, strengthening at-risk youth programs, and bringing social services and community organizations into the public housing environment. Denying drug dealers access to space involves conducting resident background checks and screening out undesirable residents, enforcing the lease agreement and following due process to evict residents who are involved in criminal activity, developing an ordinance to prohibit loitering for the sale of drugs, and changing the physical environment to enable residents to more effectively watch the property and observe people. Removing the sense of impunity for drug dealers involves a continued police presence and aggressive enforcement action, along with citizen involvement. This resource manual provides guidelines for implementing each of the foregoing actions. A separate chapter focuses on the development of a multiagency strategy, which pertains to resolving the problem of disconnected law enforcement efforts and social programs. Chapter references and appended HUD addresses and phone numbers