NCJ Number
51873
Date Published
1974
Length
14 pages
Annotation
WAYS IN WHICH COMMUNITIES CAN HELP REDUCE CRIME AND FEAR OF CRIME ARE SUGGESTED IN A REPRINT DISTRIBUTED BY THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST COMMISSION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH A REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL SURVEY IN WHICH FEW RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT CRIME IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MOST AMERICANS BELONG TO A CHURCH, UNION, BUSINESS, CIVIC, FRATERNAL, OR CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS AND THAT THESE GROUPS CONSTITUTE AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE FOR IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY. TWENTY-TWO WAYS TO APPROACH CRIME REDUCTION IN THE COMMUNITY ARE DISCUSSED. THESE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS, SUCH AS 'STOREFRONT' PROGRAMS FOR YOUTHS; MULTIFACETED COMMUNITY SECURITY PROGRAMS, COMBINING THE EFFORTS OF SERVICE AGENCIES, POLICE, AND CITIZENS; ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME; MINIMUM BUILDING SECURITY GUIDELINES; THE USE OF A DANGER SIGNAL (FREON HORNS, WHISTLE, ETC.) RECOGNIZED BY ALL NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS; IMPROVED STREET LIGHTS; BUZZER SYSTEMS FOR REPORTING ROBBERIES IN PROGRESS; CRIME WATCH AND REPORT PROGRAMS; AND PROGRAMS IN WHICH PARENTS MONITOR THE ROUTES THEIR CHILDREN TAKE TO SCHOOL. OTHER APPROACHES INCLUDE EFFORTS TO INVOLVE CITIZENS IN ANTICRIME ACTIVITIES, AUTO THEFT PROTECTION PROJECTS, CITY-FUNDED BLOCK SECURITY PROGRAMS, PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION PROJECTS, SPECIAL PROTECTION MECHANISMS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS, 'BLOCK MOTHERS' WHO ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP CHILDREN IN NEED, AND HIRING OF SECURITY GUARDS BY TENANT ASSOCIATIONS. ALSO MENTIONED ARE POLICE PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCILS, NEIGHBORHOOD POLICE TEAMS, AUXILIARY (VOLUNTEER) POLICE, VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONISTS AT POLICE STATIONS, CRIME PREVENTION AWARENESS ON THE PART OF INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, AND EFFORTS DIRECTED TOWARD THE LONG RANGE PREVENTION OF CRIME (E.G., IMPROVING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR EX-OFFENDERS, ENACTING GUN CONTROL LAWS, REDUCING INCARCERATION). EXAMPLES OF EACH APPROACH ARE CITED. (LKM)