NCJ Number
124503
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June, 1990) Pages: 134-141
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This experiment in the city of Delray Beach, Florida was directed at the design and implementation of a community policing program in a police department which had extensively utilized the traditional crime control model of policing.
Abstract
Over the past 25 years an area in the western part of Delray Beach has evolved into an area of 20 blocks with a significant crime problem. The incidence of public disorder developed into a problem of significant proportions which was of concern to the residents of the area; a task force was established to assess the nature of the problem. The research initially focused on the short term problem of restoring order and strengthening the community's ability to control disorderly behavior. But the police recognized that their interaction with the public would also be critical. As a result, the incidence of public disorder was substantially reduced. In the first week of the experiment, 64 warnings for public disorder were issued; in the final week, eight were issued. This effort represented a type of cooperation which attempted to preserve community values and improved the quality of life of the residents of the community. Bibliography.