NCJ Number
119227
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 15-17
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A variety of community efforts throughout the United States are focusing on finding solutions to the pervasive problem of crime and violence, particularly youth-related crime.
Abstract
These efforts have occurred in part in response to the publicity given to such episodes as the brutal rape of a 28-year-old investment banker in New York City. However, public outrage alone rarely changes the amount of violence in this nation's cities. True crime prevention requires action and a total commitment from the entire community, focused on educating youths not to enter into crime and also on punishing and trying to rehabilitate those who do. The efforts also recognize that youths are common victims as well as perpetrators of crime. Projects include a model program of parental participation in Philadelphia, citizen patrols of a neighborhood in Brooklyn, (NY), a handbook giving tips to communities regarding ways to deal with gang and crack problems, a publicly funded organization designed to combat gang influences in Los Angeles, and development of a master crime-prevention plan in Clifton, N.J. These efforts reflect the recommendations of a 1986 handbook of the National Crime Prevention Council, which emphasizes that citizen participation can make a big difference in reducing crime and violence.