NCJ Number
49204
Date Published
1974
Length
16 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES FOR ENLISTING ACTIVE CITIZEN SUPPORT FOR A COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE GIVEN, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THREE COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED) PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE THREE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS BASED COMBINED CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN WITH MORE ACTIVE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT TO LOWER THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME. THE CPTED EFFORTS INCLUDED A COMMERCIAL STRIP WITH ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL HOUSING IN PORTLAND, OREGON, FOUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND A LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. IN EACH INSTANCE, THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE PROGRAM WAS ENLISTING CITIZEN SUPPORT. THIS REPORT DISCUSSES IDENTIFYING KEY PERSONS AND ENLISTING THEIR AID, INVOLVING LOCAL PERSONS IN PLANNING, SETTING REALISTIC GOALS, AND ALLAYING CITIZEN FEARS. TECHNIQUES ARE GIVEN FOR SELECTING MEETING SITES, FORMALIZING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION, USING EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS, AND ENCOURAGING COOPERATION AMONG LOCAL GROUPS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE MOST COMMON FEAR IS THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL FORCE LOWER-INCOME RESIDENTS TO LEAVE. ALLAYING THIS AND OTHER FEARS IS DISCUSSED. THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IS STRESSED. TYPES OF EDUCATION NEEDED ARE LISTED. THE ROLE OF LOCAL AGENCIES AND OUTSIDE EXPERTS IS DISCUSSED. (GLR)