The report describes: (1) how States benefit by promoting and helping communities carry out locally grounded, comprehensive crime prevention planning; (2) the right time for States to vigorously encourage local government-grassroots plans that generate preventive action; and (3) what States can do to promote local action-focused planning and the roles states can play. In addition, the report examines what local action should be promoted, what characterizes an effective community plan and how State officials can begin the process of supporting local comprehensive planning and action to prevent crime. The report also describes some key differences between Categorical (prescriptive, reactive, fragmented, vertical decisionmaking) and Comprehensive (developmental, proactive, collaborative, horizontal or collegial decisionmaking) Programming. Resources, notes