NCJ Number
82318
Date Published
1978
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This evaluation report describes the Minneapolis Community Crime Prevention Program (CPP) conducted in three distinct neighborhoods and assesses its management and impact on community residents and crime rates.
Abstract
The CCP tried to reduce crime and fear of crime through increased resident involvement in block clubs, improved home and property security, physical changes to the neighborhood to reduce opportunities for crime, increased resident awareness of crime prevention techniques, and improved police-community relations. Evaluation data was collected from observations of community meetings, interviews with project staff and residents, and surveys. Crime data was collected for the project period -- July 1977 through May 1978 -- and compared to information on burglary, robbery, vandalism, assault, and criminal sexual conduct for 1975. Most block club participants felt that the major change brought about by these activities was knowing more neighbors. Attempts to involve citizens in project direction thorugh advisory councils were unsuccessful in all but one neighborhood. One of the most popular program services was the premise security survey conducted by a police officer. Most recommendations involved improving window and door security, and over half the recipients implemented these changes. Many persons who received a premise security survey also engraved their property with Operation I.D. numbers, but they constituted only a small percentage of the neighborhoods's total population. Planned environmental changes such as traffic diversion were never accomplished. Since only 5 to 10 percent of the neighborhoods' adult residents attended the block club meetings, the program's impact on crime rates were inconclusive. Problems in project management are discussed, and recommendations are presented for improving the program and conducting additional evaluations.