NCJ Number
96319
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1984) Pages: 16-20
Date Published
1984
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Citizen Awareness Program of the Alexandria Police Department (Virginia) involves evening-shift patrol officers' visiting new homeowners living on their beat to talk about the neighborhood, discuss city services, and indicate the citizen's crime prevention responsibilities.
Abstract
Since June l980, the police have distributed about 68 information packets each month and have contacted most residents personally. All of the residents sampled by a 10 percent monthly management audit have appreciated the department's efforts to inform them of the neighborhood crime problems and the city in general. Most officers have been praised by residents for being informative and interested in the safety of the citizens. This Citizen Awareness Program gives patrol officers the chance to make a few positive contacts each month. These counter the negative perceptions of police often engendered in law enforcement encounters with citizens. A table, photographs, and three footnotes are supplied.