NCJ Number
67332
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE GOALS, METHODS, AND POSSIBILITIES FOR MEASURING PREVENTIVE EFFICIENCY, THE PRESENT STATE, AND SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS OF A WEST GERMAN CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE CRIMINAL POLICE OF THE STATE OF BAVARIA ESTABLISHED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN 1964 WHICH PROVIDES FOR CAUSE REMOVAL PREVENTION, PREVENTION THROUGH POLICE PRESENCE, PREVENTION THROUGH REPRESSION, AND PREVENTION THROUGH COUNSELING. THE CHIEF GOAL OF THE PROGRAM LIES IN THE LOWERING OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THROUGH THE PROTECTION OF POTENTIAL VICTIMS, A REDUCTION OF CRIMINAL INCENTIVES, PUBLIC COOPERATION, AND THE DETERRENCE OF POTENTIAL OFFENDERS. THE PROGRAM, WHICH TRIES TO REACH A LARGE NUMBER OF CITIZENS THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, POSTERS, AND ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES, IS INTENDED TO FIGHT PUBLIC ATTITUDES WHICH FACILITATE CRIME--IGNORANCE, INDIFFERENCE, GULLIBILITY, INDOLENCE, EGOTISM, AND CARELESSNESS. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PREVENTIVE PROGRAM CAN BE MEASURED THROUGH OPINION SURVEYS, THROUGH STUDYING THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SEEKING POLICE COUNSELING, AND THROUGH ANALYZING CRIME STATISTICS IN A PARTICULAR AREA BEFORE AND AFTER A PREVENTIVE CAMPAIGN. THE PRESENT WEST GERMAN PREVENTION PROGRAM USES PRESS PUBLICATIONS, RADIO MESSAGES, PRIME-TIME TELEVISION SPOTS, POSTERS, CINEMA ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND BROCHURES. DESPITE ITS OVERALL SUCCESS, THE PROGRAM COULD BE IMPROVED THROUGH TAKING RECENT RESEARCH RESULTS INTO CONSIDERATION, SEEKING AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, IMPROVING THE VISUAL AND ACOUSTICAL PRESENTATION, ANALYZING AND SELECTING THE INTENDED AUDIENCE MORE CAREFULLY, OFFERING (FINANCIAL) INCENTIVES FOR SELF-PROTECTION, EMPLOYING A BETTER-TRAINED STAFF, AND INVESTING MORE MONEY IN CRIME PREVENTION. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)