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Operation Neighborhood Shield Creates Community Trust and Reduces Crime

NCJ Number
193309
Journal
Topics in Community Corrections Dated: 2001 Pages: 23-27
Author(s)
Carol Pender-Roberts; Frank Domurad
Date Published
2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article traces the development and describes the current operations of New York City's Neighborhood Shield, which involves collaboration with multiple groups and agencies in addressing the criminogenic environments of correctional clients.
Abstract
The project is rooted in a collaboration among the Reinventing Probation Council, the authors of "Broken Windows" probation, the initiators of the community justice movement, and a group that has been instrumental in the balanced and restorative justice movement. The collaboration focused on the development of a program of crime prevention and reduction that would integrate the best in each of the conceptual models represented. Acting in concert with criminal justice consultants, a series of focus groups was conducted in the targeted high-crime area to identify local problems. Questionnaires were distributed at community meetings to help identify both law enforcement and other issues. Community leaders, interested citizens, and community organizations were asked to volunteer for a Citizen's Advisory Board, which would help guide the work of probation officers and police in the neighborhood. The group identified several subcommittees to work on issues of concern. The probation department has hired a number of community activists to serve as community liaison workers to supplement the Citizen's Advisory Board. A level of trust and respect has developed, and this has stimulated community residents to take the initiative in alerting police to crimes in progress and situations that must be addressed to discourage or stop criminal activity. Operation Neighborhood Shield operates on two fundamental principles; first, there is no issue presented by the community for which the Advisory Board will not act as ombudsman or facilitator in seeking a solution; second, the lengthy bureaucratic processes previously required to deal with problems has been curtailed, so that a citizen can observe a direct connection between a request and the responsive action. Major efforts are under way with the faith-based community to establish mentorship programs for youth, and linkages are already in place to increase access to employment opportunities.