The program was initiated by the police chief, with the support of the city's mayor, following the economic recession and crime increase in 1975. Each of the city's 13 precinct stations now has at least 1 officer whose main responsibility is crime prevention. Crime prevention officers have conducted more than 12,000 programs attended by more than 1 million persons. The result has been the incorporation of almost 5,000 Neighborhood Watch organizations, 150 Business Watch organizations, and 54 citizen band radio patrols. In addition, 4500 residential and business security surveys have been conducted. Doubts about the program's value led to the initiation in 1977 of a research project that compared a target area of 155 blocks with a control area with no crime prevention programs. Results released in 1979 showed a reduction of 40 percent in Part I crimes and a 60-percent reduction in residential burglaries. The police department's crime prevention section now operates 3 target areas, each consisting of about 160 blocks. Programs vary among the areas, but all offer Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Apartment Watch, senior citizen transportation, lock installation, and citizen band radio patrols. The department is also implementing innovative programs, such as the training of utility company employees in crime identification, a vehicle identification program, and special efforts directed at youths. Photographs and 1 footnote.