NCJ Number
205037
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 22,24,25
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
March 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses important components in an effective crime prevention program; community mobilization and leadership as stated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Crime Prevention Committee.
Abstract
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Crime Prevention Committee has presented in a statement that community safety is everyone’s responsibility and crime prevention is everyone’s business. The desired plan should be to develop strategic partnerships that create community-based shared responsibility in the prevention of crime. This article discusses two of these partnerships, community mobilization and leadership. Community-based crime prevention programs are considered the foundation for an effective community policing model. Developing and sustaining partnerships is a challenge faced by most police agencies. A multiagency response is necessary in order to ensure that all environmental and sociological factors contributing to the existence of crime in a neighborhood are identified and addressed. In order for crime prevention programs to succeed, strong committed leadership is crucial which may come from within the ranks of the partnership, both police and community. The prevention of crime is the primary function and goal of law enforcement agencies. Establishing a police community crime management committee is suggested to meet and address crime-related issues and develop a strategic action plan. This partnership is useful to local police-authorities. The way police agencies address issues related to community crime prevention have changed. Police agencies cannot isolate themselves from the support of the community and be effective with the ever changing nature of crime, along with the presence of domestic and international terrorism; changes in attitudinal behaviors are required.