NCJ Number
62943
Date Published
1979
Length
24 pages
Annotation
AN EL PASO, TEX., CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSING ON RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS IS DESCRIBED AND EVALUATION RESULTS ARE REPORTED FOR 1978-1979.
Abstract
BASED UPON POLICE CRIME REPORT STATISTICS, FOUR HIGH-CRIME AREAS OF THE CITY WERE SELECTED FOR THE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM. COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WERE HIRED AND TRAINED TO MAKE PERSONAL CONTACT WITH RESIDENTS TO ENCOURAGE AND HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES. THE HELP PROVIDED INCLUDED HOME SECURITY INSPECTIONS, THE USE OF ENGRAVERS FOR MARKING PROPERTY FOR IDENTIFICATION IN THE EVENT OF THEFT, THE DISTRIBUTION OF OPERATION IDENTIFICATION STICKERS, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF BLOCK WATCH MAPS. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM, THE STAFF COMPLETED 5,845 PERSONAL CONTACTS, 674 RE-CONTACTS, AND 2,066 IMPERSONAL CONTACTS. BLOCK WATCH AND AREA MEETINGS WERE CONDUCTED TO AID IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE PROGRAM STAFF: (1) TELEVISION COVERAGE OF AN UNSOLVED CRIME WITH A REWARD OFFERED TO ANY CITIZEN PROVIDING INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND INDICTMENT OF DEFENDANTS; (2) PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS DEALING WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY; (3) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CRIME PRINTOUT TO SHOW AREAS AND STREETS WITH THE MOST CRIMINAL ACTIVITY; (4) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND THAT SOLICITED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSMEN FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS IN THE HIGH CRIME AREAS; AND (5) THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIME PREVENTION LITERATURE IN SPANISH. CRIME DATA SHOWED A DECREASE IN RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN THREE OF THE FOUR TARGET AREAS DURING THE YEAR OF THE PROGRAM'S OPERATION. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WAS FAVORABLE. (RCB)