Kids, Cops, and Communities

• NCJ Number: 169599
• Author(s): M R Chaiken
• Date Published: June 1998
• Length: 60 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Issues and Practices in Criminal Justice
• Grant Number(s): 94-IJ-CX-0015
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)

Annotation

This report aims to help law enforcement administrators and police officers understand and establish a strategy to prevent violence based on community policing services conducted in collaboration with youth-serving organizations; the discussion is based on a survey of 579 affiliates of 7 national youth-serving organizations.

Abstract

The discussion notes that early adolescence is a crucial period and that children are most vulnerable to juvenile delinquency and victimization during the nonschool afternoon and early evening hours on weekdays. It notes that popular approaches such as boot camps or curfews either provide only temporary supervision or do not cover the periods when youth are most likely to become involved in trouble. However, effective prevention approaches are integral to national youth organizations. The survey gathered information from affiliates of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Boy Scouts of America, Girls Incorporated, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Association of Police Athletic Leagues, National 4-H Council and USDA 4-H and Youth Development Service, and YMCA of the USA. The research revealed that partnerships between police and youth-serving organizations take many forms. Exemplary programs in Bristol, Conn., Arlington, Tex., and Spokane, Wash. had several features in common. They were based on a needs assessment, addressed multiple factors, and used existing organizations and approaches rather than developing new ones. Their experience suggests several specific actions for police administrators, directors of youth organizations and agencies, community coalitions and collaborations, local officials, and other community leaders. Photographs, reference notes, and appended list and contact information for the organizations studied. For the study, see NCJ-170608.