NCJ Number
122842
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 37 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 18-20
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The San Francisco Police Department has established three kobans -- mini, self-contained police stations based on a concept used in Korea, Japan, and China -- which are tailored specifically to the neighborhood in which they are located in terms of design and localized law enforcement objectives.
Abstract
The neighborhoods' ethnic residents, accustomed not to "bother" police, feel the kobans bring the police home to their locale. In the koban in Chinatown, officers working in the stainless steel module respond largely to pickpockets and shoplifters as well as answer tips on drug offenses and homicides and help tourists with directions. In Japantown, most koban calls are for burglaries, purse-snatchings, and vandalism. The stainless steel koban, decorated with Japanese signage, provides a visual deterrence and gives a positive perception of police. The Halladie Plaza koban, in the heart of the city, handles resident and tourist contacts and merchant requests for assistance. Panhandling, battery, assault, purse snatching, and warrant arrests made this area noted for its street crime before the koban was built. A fourth koban, to be placed in a Hispanic neighborhood, will largely be funded by community contributions.