NCJ Number
86772
Date Published
1982
Length
260 pages
Annotation
A community crime prevention program, People Engaged in Organized Crime Participation in Law Enforcement (PEOPLE) which operated between February 1980 and August 1981 to reduce both crime and fear of crime in New Haven, Conn., met its goals with varying degrees of success, mainly because of time constraints.
Abstract
Major program activities included training over 700 employees of utility companies, the post office, a taxi company, and municipal agencies to relay their observations of suspicious activities to the police; a block watch organization; a community patrol to displace prostitution; a bicycle rodeo to promote safety and theft prevention; antiarson programs; senior citizen crime prevention training; and crime prevention education for merchants. Problems encountered by PEOPLE included implementation delays, reduced funding, and insufficient volunteers. A crime and victimization survey of 500 residents indicated that the public was not interested in economic and social reforms as a cure for crime, but wanted stricter laws and punishment and more police protection. A financial report, the survey questionnaire, and other program materials conclude the report.