NCJ Number
118472
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 24 Dated: Special Issue (1987) Pages: 27-32
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article traces the evolution of the French crime prevention program and explains how it operates in relation to the prevention of different forms of delinquency and antisocial behavior, using examples from the cities of Lille and Paris.
Abstract
France's crime prevention effort has featured crime prevention councils, which began operating in June 1983, at the national, regional, and local levels. One nationwide effort through the council network is the ete-jeunes program, which provides summer recreational programs for youth in inner cities. The council tiers cooperate in providing funds, equipment, staff, and facilities for local programs. The programs, which involve police participation, focus on the involvement of marginal and ethnic minority youth in social and sporting activities. The city of Lille has been selected as a pilot city for the development of a local crime prevention council. The council has developed a number of programs, including services for unemployed youth and school dropouts, the establishment of a nonalcoholic cafe run by youth as a meeting place for youth featuring musical events, and a school safety program to reduce bullying and violence in schools as well as car accidents involving students on their way to and from school. Joint funding and close cooperation between local community agencies and representatives of the criminal justice system are important features of successful initiatives. 4 references.