NCJ Number
64115
Date Published
1978
Length
28 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS IN REDUCING THEIR VULNERABILITY TO CRIME IS ADDRESSED. IT IS CONTENDED THAT EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION IS BASED PRIMARILY ON INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROLS IMPOSED BY CITIZENS.
Abstract
THE POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION (CCP) ACTIVITIES IS BASED IN PART ON NEGATIVE RESULTS OF ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES. A BASIC ELEMENT OF CCP IS SOCIAL INTERACTION. IN MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STIMULATE AS MUCH CASUAL AND PUBLIC SURVEILLANCE AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, CCP ACTIVITIES NEED NOT BE CARRIED OUT IN COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT, IN FACT, THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON INTERACTION WITH POLICE. IF SUCH A COOPERATIVE SYSTEM OCCURS, THEN THE FORMAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS A COMPENSATORY SYSTEM, NEEDED WHEN INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROLS FAIL. TYPES OF CCP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BLOCK SECURITY PROGRAMS, BLOCK WATCHER AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY RADIO PROGRAMS, CITIZEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY RADIO WATCH, COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS, ESCORT SERVICES, HOME SECURITY, IMPROVED ALARM SYSTEMS, POLICE-COMMUNITY COUNCILS, POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS, POLICE RESERVE UNITS, PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION, RESIDENT PATROLS, SECRET WITNESS PROGRAMS, SECURITY GUARDS, STREET LIGHTING, VIGILANTE GROUPS AND YOUTH PATROLS. THE PRECISE SUCCESS OF CCP PROGRAMS IS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS; MOST EVALUATION STUDIES OF CCP LACK EMPIRICAL MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES. FURTHERMORE, CRIME PREVENTION AND ITS EVALUATION ARE COMPLEX. FIVE ELEMENTS OF CCP ACTIVITIES THAT MUST BE OPERATIONALLY DEFINED IN EVALUATION STUDIES CAN BE IDENTIFIED, HOWEVER. THEY ARE OUTREACH EFFORTS, ORGANIZATONAL FORM, RELATION TO THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS, AND THE ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)