NCJ Number
31844
Journal
Journal of Social Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 145-161
Date Published
1975
Length
17 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF THE FRICTION AND ISOLATION CHARACTERIZING POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN SPANISH HARLEM PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1966 AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO AMELIORATE THIS FRICTION BETWEEN OCTOBER 1966 AND NOVEMBER 1967.
Abstract
THE UNDERLYING PATHOLOGIES OF GROUP INTERNALIZATION AND ISOLATION WERE ATTACKED ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS IN AN EFFORT TO DISSOLVE SOME OF THE TENSIONS AND BITTERNESSES. THE PREMISE WAS THE BELIEF THAT A POLICE FORCE CANNOT OPERATE EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT THE WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY. POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS INSTITUTED AND DISCUSSED INCLUDE A COMMUNITY RELATIONS BUREAU; ADOLESCENTS AGAINST ADDICTION (A PEER INFORMATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN); COMMUNITY DIALOGUES BETWEEN PATROLMEN AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHICH PROHIBITED PARTICIPATION OF POLICE OFFICIALS OR LEADERS OR ORGANIZATIONS; CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR BOTH UNIFORMED POLICEMEN AND CIVILIANS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN LAW AND ORDER AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS; AND THE FRESH AIR FUND (WHICH SENT GHETTO CHILDREN TO SPEND SUMMERS WITH FAMILIES IN SUBURBAN AREAS OF NEIGHBORING STATES). THE AUTHOR, PRECINCT CHIEF OF POLICE DURING THIS TIME, NOTES SEVERAL INDICATIONS OF IMPROVED ATTITUDES ON BOTH SIDES WHICH TESTIFY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMS AND TECHNIQUES IMPLEMENTED.