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Community Prosecution

NCJ Number
174500
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 67 Issue: 4 Dated: April 1998 Pages: 19-24
Author(s)
S P Weinstein
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the concept of community prosecution.
Abstract
Community prosecution is a grassroots approach to law enforcement involving both traditional and nontraditional prosecutorial initiatives. Citizens participate in establishing crime-fighting priorities and collaborate with prosecutors, often addressing less serious crimes such as prostitution or loitering. The key components of community prosecution include: (1) a proactive approach; (2) target area; (3) partnerships that include prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and public and private sector representatives; (4) community input; (5) communication; (6) varied methods, such as civil sanctions and nuisance abatement, that can eliminate problems without actually prosecuting individuals; (7) long-term strategies; (8) commitment; and (9) continuous evaluation. Initiated in many jurisdictions as a response to escalating crime problems, community prosecution has become increasingly popular as a means to ensure the safety of the public and enhance the communityþs quality of life. Ideally, community policing and community prosecution will merge into a community justice movement. Notes