NCJ Number
103955
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the victim services and victim-services training provided by the block watch organization in northwest Philadelphia.
Abstract
In addition to providing the traditional functions of surveillance, crime reporting, and crime prevention, the northwest Philadelphia block watch program performs victim services that include providing emotional support in the hours immediately after the crime, reassurance, listening, practical assistance, accompaniment of victims to court and community services, and liaison between the victim and the criminal justice system. The program includes four 2-hour weekly training sessions for all block watch members who volunteer for victim services. Instruction covers the nature of the victimization experience, victim needs immediately after the crime and over the long term, how to respond to the victim, when to recommend professional help, and how the criminal justice system works. Victims are only contacted by block watch members when victims have given permission to the police, and the police and block watch volunteers cooperate to ensure that victim services and case processing procedures complement rather than conflict with one another. Program success has been due to the motivation and skills of the program director, the willingness of block watch members to expand their program, and the support of the police leadership.