NCJ Number
101166
Date Published
1984
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This manual of the Minneapolis Community Crime Prevention agency describes the nature and activities of various crime prevention strategies, discusses the steps in organizing a block club, and provides instructions for organizing and conducting a block meeting.
Abstract
General background information on community crime prevention programs outlines their nature and purpose and describes the Community Crime Prevention agency as a citywide organization which assists neighborhoods in organizing block clubs and implementing crime prevention strategies. The section on crime prevention strategies describes the structures, goals, and activities of block clubs, 'Watchforce,' Operation Identification, the 911 emergency network, Watchforce signs, and networking. 'Watchforce' involves block club members providing surveillance and reporting to prevent neighborhood crime. Instructions for organizing a block club encompass the role and responsibility of the block organizer, the procedure for contacting neighbors door-to-door, and how to respond to negative comments about attempts to organize a block club. Guidance for organizing a block club meeting addresses planning, inviting, conducting the meeting, and followup. The manual also describes how to address block club issues other than crime prevention. Resources that can be used by block clubs are included.