NCJ Number
77629
Date Published
1980
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This manual tells how to design a citizen community action program for crime prevention.
Abstract
The booklet points out that such programs should focus on the more preventable crimes. A chart summarizes the characteristics of each type of crime, including violent personal crime, occasional property crime, occupational crime, political crime, public order crime, conventional crime, organized crime, and professional crime. Generally speaking, property crimes are much easier to prevent than crimes against the person, but are more difficult to solve. The key to a successful crime prevention program is planning every element in advance. Steps for citizens to take include identification of a solvable crime problem, organization of advisory and work groups, creation of definable goals and assessment of resources (people, money, time, facilities, and information), and decisions about available options. Options include target hardening, social action, environmental design, criminal justice system improvements, education, and personal protection strategies. Goals for a crime prevention program may encompass such areas as reducing crime, decreasng the fear of crime, reducing the motivation to commit crimes, and increasing public awareness of crime. After the crime target and population target have been defined, citizens should launch a pilot program to test the elements of their project. An evaluation of the pilot project will show whether the goals that were defined were achieved. Finally, funding may be solicited to make the program a permanent part of the community. Diagrams are provided.