NCJ Number
178821
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 1998 Pages: 23-35
Date Published
August 1999
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Faced with a diminishing budget and resources, the Department of Public Safety at the University of Massachusetts implemented a community policing approach in the early 1990's.
Abstract
As a first step, new personnel were hired, supervisory staff were charged with getting police officers back in touch with the community, and new vehicles were purchased. Police officers took the time to become involved in solving problems rather than just reporting what was wrong. The department implemented a mountain bike patrol in 1993 that was received positively by the community. Other crime prevention efforts were also devised, police officers became involved in all types of activities in the community, and community services became an important part of crime prevention. In addition, the department began publishing a newsletter about every 6 to 8 weeks that contained crime prevention tips and safety alerts and information on various public safety events. The positive impacts of crime prevention efforts on the University of Massachusetts campus are discussed.