NCJ Number
203331
Date Published
2003
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report identifies similarities in the goals and strategies for crime prevention and terrorism prevention, explains how crime-prevention assets contribute to community-based homeland-security activities, and notes the benefits of the two disciplines cooperating with one another.
Abstract
Since terrorist acts violate various laws, the basic concepts of crime prevention can be applied to them. Also, both crime prevention and terrorism prevention contribute to community residents' sense of safety and security; and both types of prevention require action by individuals and neighborhood groups, as well as by numerous agencies and other organizations in the community. Further, both crime prevention and terrorism prevention must cope with fear of being a victim of crime and perform risk assessments. Many of the skills and knowledge developed over the long history of crime prevention are readily transferable to homeland security strategies and tactics. These include teaching community members about security measures for their property and family; teaching them alertness and awareness of surroundings; encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity; activating block group programs; creating a liaison between neighborhood groups and law enforcement agencies; and developing a system to disseminate information in the neighborhood. This article presents a chart that shows how crime-prevention assets can assist in meeting homeland security needs in the areas of awareness, organization, skills instruction, cooperation among community residents and public safety agencies, and the use of "tools for success." 23 notes