NCJ Number
145667
Journal
Public Management Volume: 75 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 2-8
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
For young, single-parent families who cannot find decent, safe, and affordable transitional housing, severely distressed public housing becomes their permanent housing of last resort. National statistics show that public housing residents are most vulnerable to crime, violence, drugs, and gang activity.
Abstract
While more and more residents are overcoming their traditional distrust of the police to demand police protection, there remain unanswered questions over the most appropriate form of policing for these areas. Many experts believe that an increased reliance on police foot patrols will not only deter many types of street crimes but may also repair 30 years of strained relationships between police and public housing residents. On the other hand, traditional police efforts at maintaining public order in housing developments may further alienate an already estranged population. Community policing offers the best hope for successful order maintenance and drug enforcement in public housing projects. However, community policing will only work if it is implemented in a way that empowers the community and changes the traditional role of police. When officers work effectively with resident leaders, they can identify and resolve the long- standing misconceptions and mistrust that exist between them.