NCJ Number
164896
Journal
Gazette Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 15-18
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes basic steps for starting a web site and also outlines the benefits that can be realized when a crime prevention office starts a web site.
Abstract
In March 1994, the Joyce Road Community Crime Prevention Office opened in the Renfrew-Collingwood community of Vancouver (Canada). The office, staffed by a coordinator and several hundred volunteers, is a focal point for the partnership between police and the community. In 1995 the office began examining a web site as a means of improving communication to the community and also of obtaining information from the Internet. An approach was made to Simon Fraser University, which agreed to a partnership arrangement, with access provided at a reduced public service rate. In April 1995 the Joyce Road Web Site came on-line and has proved to be a success. The information supplied on the web site pertains to safety advice for seniors, citizens' crime watch information, preventing residential break-ins, Block Watch information, preventing bicycle theft, marking valuables, robbery advice for businesses, Block Parent information, and British Columbia Crime Prevention Association information. The web site also includes links to other sites that provide crime prevention information. Topics addressed in this article include the selection of an Internet service provider (ISP), the provision of 24-hour access, the speed at which the ISP connects to the Internet, costs, back-up and technical assistance, requirement for users, and designing the web page. Also discussed are security considerations and community interaction.