NCJ Number
97783
Date Published
1985
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This executive summary reports the findings of a demonstration project conducted in two Manitoba towns to test a crime prevention planning model that combines official statistics and citizen survey data to determine crime patterns and attitudes toward crime-related problems.
Abstract
The model uses this information to rank problems according to the community's priorities and to develop corrective strategies. Selkirk and The Pas and their surrounding areas were selected as test sites because they were considered typical Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachments. Residents in the Selkirk municipal area did not feel that crime was a major problem, at least not in their neighborhood. While most criminal justice professionals contended that crime rates had been decreasing, almost half the citizens and most community leaders thought crime was increasing. Alcohol and drug abuse were cited as the most serious crime-related problems, followed by property crime. Official crime data confirmed this view. A final problem area was traffic enforcement, especially speeding and drunk driving. The community rated the police favorably, but the police believed more involvement on the community's part was needed. Although residents were not well-acquainted with crime prevention programs offered by the police, they expressed considerable interest in doing something to solve crime-related problems. Town leaders and the police in The Pas thought crime was a major problem, but the residents did not agree. Offense data indicated that property crime occurred most frequently, but community leaders felt alcohol abuse was the major problem. Citizens were most concerned about traffic problems. Despite good ratings, citizens and community leaders pointed out areas in which the police might improve, and the police themselves saw a need for better communication with the community. Summaries of the results for the rural areas of Selkirk and The Pas report similar results. Three footnotes are included.