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Crime Prevention in America: A British Perspective

NCJ Number
138559
Author(s)
J Bright
Date Published
1992
Length
124 pages
Annotation
This book examines the problems of American crime and crime prevention from a European and Canadian perspective and urges the implementation of a multi-agency, multi-focus, and multi-solution approach to crime prevention.
Abstract
This strategy is designed to address those disorders and crimes that directly affect the quality of life and stability in urban areas. The author emphasizes social and community crime prevention and concentrates on three issues: poverty, joblessness, and welfare reform. Three myths concerning crime are debunked: (1) that crime can be prevented by the criminal justice system, (2) that communities can prevent crime, and (3) that crime is a single-solution problem. The three primary approaches to crime identified here include prevention through law enforcement, opportunity reduction, and social crime prevention. The author favors the latter approach, calling for the creation of programs that promote early childhood development, opportunities for young people, safer neighborhoods, multi-agency crime prevention, and development of a neighborhood strategy.