NCJ Number
225401
Date Published
2007
Length
432 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this book is to present a sampling of prevention approaches, outline the selected programs and issues, present the research and impact evaluations carried out on the programs, and critically examine the prevention effort and the potential of the approach to effect crime and the fear of crime.
Abstract
The ideas and topics addressed in this book are among the many possible prevention approaches that are used and are emerging to address the persistent problems of crime and fear in society. Such efforts continue to grow. The effectiveness of these ideas rests on quality evaluation and willingness to adapt and change. Evaluation of crime prevention techniques will remain a pivotal issue in dealing with crime and fear of crime throughout the future. The book attempts to expose the reader to some of the predominant crime prevention issues and techniques of the past 30 years. Throughout the book, the key criterion for assessing the effectiveness of various crime prevention methods is lower subsequent offending and/or fear of crime. Subsequent offending could be either initial criminal activity or recidivism. Lowered fear of crime could come from any intervention mechanism. The ultimate goal is the reductions in crime and fear. At the end of many of the 17 chapters, there is an attempt to summarize what is known about the preventive impact of different interventions. The book begins with an overview of the extent of the crime problem, including both crime itself and the fear of crime, a model encompassing diverse prevention methods ranging from the physical design of homes and communities to drug prevention, and an evaluation of crime prevention leading to the balance of the text entailing crime prevention approaches. Glossary, references, name and subject index