In an initial study, Shaw and McKay observed that many groups of boys living in the Chicago area were unconventional or delinquent in their traditions and norms. The researchers considered ways of preventing delinquency and rehabilitating offenders, and they suggested different approaches to intervening with juvenile delinquents. The Chicago Area Project (CAP) resulted from studies conducted by Shaw and McKay at the Institute for Juvenile Research. CAP has helped local residents initiate and develop independent community welfare enterprises. The CAP method is based on the belief that the most effective institutional way of dealing with human problems originates with residents. In other words, the CAP approach attempts to change community situations in which children's values are molded. The CAP embodies several assumptions: (1) juvenile delinquency in low income areas results from children's social experiences; (2) effective treatment and prevention can be achieved only if constructive community change occurs; (3) effective rehabilitation involves reincorporating offenders into socially constructive activities; and (4) local residents must accept the fullest possible responsibility for policies and programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency. The CAP incorporates a local committee model and works with many community agencies to combat juvenile delinquency and gang activities. 2 references