NCJ Number
47605
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR A FORMALIZED FOURTH COMPONENT TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, IS EXAMINED. UNCOORDINATION OF PREVENTION EFFORTS OF THE POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS LEADS TO FRAGMENTATION.
Abstract
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CREATION OF A SEPARATE AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT WITH PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES COULD WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPONENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE A GREATER UNITY OF PURPOSE. THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS HAS SUGGESTED 'THAT EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH BROAD-BASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT.' TRULY EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION WILL REQUIRE THE EXTENSION OF THAT AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. GIVEN THE WIDE DIVERSITY OF SUCH PROGRAMS, OVERALL COORDINATION WILL BE NECESSARY TO ASSURE MAXIMUM UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND TO PREVENT DUPLICATION AND DIVISION OF EFFORT. AN AMALGAMATED APPROACH TO CRIME PREVENTION WOULD FACILITATE PLANNING AND SHOULD RESULT IN MORE COST-EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAFFING OF A COORDINATING AGENCY, INCLUDING PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS FROM WITHIN SYSTEM COMPONENTS, WOULD FURTHER COOPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH AN AGENCY COULD ALSO ENSURE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY OF CRIME PREVENTION OPERATIONS. THE MONETARY RETURNS FROM EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION SHOULD FAR EXCEED OPERATIONAL COSTS. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT FEDERAL FUNDS BE SOLICITED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PILOT PROJECT TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THIS CONCEPT OF A FOURTH CRIME PREVENTION BRANCH WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS COULD GENERATE SYSTEMWIDE AND COMMUNITYWIDE MOMENTUM FOR A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. (JAP)