NCJ Number
136042
Date Published
1991
Length
428 pages
Annotation
Since 1981, the Tucson Police Department has attempted to evolve into a community-based, problem-oriented policing style to prevent crime.
Abstract
The major theme of the Enhanced Crime Prevention Demonstration Program in Tucson was to demonstrate the importance of crime prevention as a major policy activity of equal professional stature to patrol and investigative activities. The Tucson program incorporated the following elements: integration of crime prevention activities into routine daily operations throughout the police department; changes in command initiatives and department structure to promote crime prevention as a high-priority police activity; development of policing strategies oriented to provide effective community services; increased role of uniformed officers in crime and drug prevention; crime and drug prevention training for all law enforcement personnel; establishment of a multidisciplinary planning team to be responsible for managing and coordinating community and drug prevention initiatives; use of expanded crime and community data and crime analysis to enhance crime prevention efforts and communicate crime-related information to community residents; citizen involvement in crime and drug prevention; and integration of crime and drug prevention into city planning, zoning, urban renewal, and construction projects. The Tucson Police Department encountered difficulties in transitioning from a traditional policing approach to one of community orientation, but specific steps were taken to ease the transition that focused on police training, public education, community groups, and area targeting. Attachments provide detailed supplemental data on the Tucson Police Department's crime prevention efforts. Tables and figures