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Crime Prevention: Approaches, Practices and Evaluations

NCJ Number
109069
Author(s)
S P Lab
Date Published
1988
Length
247 pages
Annotation
This text provides brief descriptions of the more well-known and recent crime prevention approaches, together with results of evaluative research into the effectiveness of each.
Abstract
Primary prevention approaches, focusing on changing physical and social factors that foster crime, are examined that include environmental design, neighborhood approaches (block watch, citizen crime patrols, police-community involvement), and general and specific deterrence approaches. Factors influencing crime displacement and criminal mobility and the role of the media, including crime reporting effects on behavior and media crime prevention campaigns (information lines, newsletters, and 'Taking a Bite Out of Crime') also are examined. Secondary prevention activities, those focusing on work with individuals and situations that increase risk of criminality, include prediction of crime and delinquency, diversion, school-based approaches (alternative schools, employment programs), ecological crime analysis, and neighborhood dispute resolution. Tertiary interventions focus on criminal justice system responses, including criminal sanctions, incapacitation, and rehabilitation programs. Evaluation of these approaches emphasizes effects on crime rated and fear of crime. Index and approximately 372 references.