PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY

• NCJ Number: 66637
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1979) Pages: 185-207
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Wichita State University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

METHODS OF USING COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN PREVENTING, TREATING, AND CONTROLLING OFFENDERS ON PAROLE AND PROBATION ARE EXPLORED.

Abstract

THE MOST SALUTARY FORM OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A BALANCE BETWEEN LOCAL PARTICIPATION AND THE ACTIONS OF THE MANY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONTROLLING OFFENDERS. OVEREMPHASIS ON LOCAL PARTICIPATION INCREASES THE RISK OF MOB ACTION AND MAKES IMPARTIALITY IN TREATMENT MORE DIFFICULT TO ATTAIN. ON THE OTHER HAND, HIGHLY CENTRALIZED JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES OFTEN TEND TO BE ARBITRARY AND IMPERSONAL. THE COMMUNITY AGENCY (WELFARE BOARDS, CITIZEN'S GROUPS, PAROLE BOARDS), INDEPENDENT OF THE JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONS, PLAYS AN INCREASING ROLE IN ENLIGHTENED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS INCLUDE EDUCATION FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND REPORTING OF OFFENSES, AND THE RELATIVE CLOSENESS INDIVIDUALS FEEL TOWARD THEIR LOCAL GROUPS (FAMILY, CLAN, SCHOOL, NEIGHBORHOOD), AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CRIME CONTROL PROGRAMS CAN BE ACHIEVED WHEN THERE IS A WIDE DIVERGENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE SYSTEMS OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL GROUPS AND WHEN THERE ARE GREAT DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS AS TO EXACTLY WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO TO PREVENT CRIME. BROADLY SPEAKING, THERE ARE FOUR WAYS IN WHICH COMMUNITY GROUPS CAN PARTICIPATE IN CRIME PREVENTION: 1) POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS, 2) PUBLIC COOPERATION WITH SOCIAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS, 3) DELEGATION TO COMMUNITY GROUPS OF ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS, AND 4) PROVISION BY COMMUNITY GROUPS OF AUTONOMOUS SOCIAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MUCH MORE WORK MUST BE DONE TO COLLECT RELIABLE DATA AND MAKE SIGNIFICANT CRITICAL ANALYSES OF THE WAYS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DEG)