NCJ Number
39500
Date Published
1976
Length
136 pages
Annotation
REPORT EXAMINES STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF COMMUNITY CRIME AWARENESS PROGRAM.
Abstract
THIS CHICAGO PROJECT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1974 TO ASSIST CITIZENS IN UNDERSTANDING AND HELPING TO IMPROVE THE STRUCTURE AND INTERACTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS OBJECTIVE WAS CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE FORMATION OF STUDY GROUPS. THE REPORT SAYS THE PROJECT'S STRENGTHS INCLUDED ITS LOW COST, ITS COMPETENT STAFF, ITS SUCCESS IN DEVELOPING GRASS ROOTS INVOLVEMENT, AND ITS SUCCESS IN ESTABLISHING THE STUDY GROUPS AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM'S WEAKNESSES INCLUDE COLLECTING EVALUATION DATA TO ASSESS THE PROJECT'S GOALS, ITS EMPHASIZING OF LEARNING RATHER THAN ACTION IN ITS EARLIER YEARS, AND THE FACT THAT THE PROJECT WILL DIE AS OF JULY 1977....BS