NCJ Number
142975
Editor(s)
W Reed,
M G Graham,
C D Uchida
Date Published
1993
Length
156 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results and implications of evaluations of innovative programs to reduce crime and drug abuse; the evaluations were funded by the National Institute of Justice to measure the effectiveness of innovative projects funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.
Abstract
The evaluations found that police crackdowns (intense police efforts to drive drug dealers out of a neighborhood) are effective only as long as a high-profile police presence remains. Some cities are now experimenting with crackdown follow-up efforts by opening ministations, deploying walking patrols, and involving municipal agencies in persuading crack house owners to evict the occupants or risk having the buildings boarded up for violating building codes. Evaluations consistently show that when police and community residents work together in a coordinated effort to counter targeted crime, crime in the community is reduced, along with the fear of crime. One evaluation showed that when police and citizens cooperate in information sharing regarding drug-dealing locations, more locations are identified than when relying on either police or citizen information alone. An evaluation of the national demonstration program Community Responses to Drug Abuse examined how 10 community-based organizations across nine cities planned and implemented anti-drug strategies to prevent crime and drug abuse. The evaluation has demonstrated how much can be accomplished by local community organizations with limited funding from the Federal Government. The report describes how to use the evaluation results presented in the report and outlines program efforts that are needed in the future. Appended index of grants and a list of National Institute of Justice publications