NCJ Number
63164
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EVALUATES TWO COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
Abstract
BOTH PROJECTS RAN FOR A 2-YEAR PERIOD AND WERE FEDERALLY FUNDED. BOTH ACHIEVED CRIME REDUCTION IN SELECTED AREAS AND MAINTAINED HIGH ACTIVITY LEVELS IN TERMS OF NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY INSPECTIONS OF RESIDENCES. THE MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR INCREASING CITIZEN AWARENESS OF SERVICES WAS THE USE OF THE MEDIA (NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION, RADIO). ALSO, NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS PROMOTED CITIZENS' ACTION IN SUCH WAYS AS SECURING HOMES AND REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. ALTHOUGH STRATEGIES TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WERE SIMILAR, THE UTILIZATION OF STAFF RESOURCES FOR THE TWO PROJECTS. THE PRIMARY RESOURCE USED BY THE CITY WAS POLICE OFFICERS, SINCE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES COULD CONTINUE SUBSEQUENT TO TERMINATION OF FUNDING WITHOUT INCURRING ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO THE DEPARTMENT. THE PATROL OFFICER WAS DESIGNATED TO MAKE PRIMARY CONTACT WITH THE CITIZEN AND TO OVERSEE COMMUNITY-WATCH DEVELOPMENT AND RESIDENTIAL SECURITY INSPECTION. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE INSTEAD HIRED 25 COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS (CSO'S) AND PLACED THEM IN EACH OF 25 SUBSTATIONS AFTER TRAINING IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED MEDIA STIMULATION, SECURITY INSPECTIONS, PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF WATCH GROUPS. THE EVALUATORS FOUND THAT WHEN VIEWED AS SHORT-TERM, EXPEIMENTAL PROJECTS, THE APPROACH USED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS MORE FEASIBLE SINCE POLICE BEAT OFFICERS LACKED COMMITMENT TO THE ADDITIONAL WORK TASK OF CRIME PREVENTION. HOWEVER, THE EVALUATION CONCLUDED THAT INVOLVING CITIZENS IN CRIME CONTROL DOES REDUCE CRIME AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN INHERENT RESPONSIBILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE SUGGESTING A MODEL FRAMEWORK BY WHICH AGENCIES COULD PROVIDE SUCH CRIME PREVENTION SERVICES. (MJW)