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PREVENTING CRIME

NCJ Number
61734
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 6-16
Author(s)
K KRAJICK
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
METHODS USED IN CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED AND THEIR SUCCESS EVALUATED. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT LACK OF EVALUATION AND DIFFUSED APPROACHES OFTEN WEAKEN SUCH PROGRAMS.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON CRIME PREVENTION, FEW PROGRAMS HAVE ACTUALLY PROVED EFFECTIVE. THOSE THAT APPEAR TO BE MOST SUCCESSFUL HAVE RELIED HEAVILY ON CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT WITH MINIMAL POLICE PARTICIPATION. LEAA, WHICH DISTRIBUTES MOST CRIME PREVENTION FUNDS, HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR ITS FAILURE TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON IMPLEMENTATION AND TO EVALUATE THESE PROGRAMS, AND POLICE HAVE BEEN REPROACHED FOR THEIR TENDENCY TO ADOPT A COMMUNITYWIDE, EDUCATIONAL APPROACH RATHER THAN TARGETING SPECIFIC CRIMES IN SMALL AREAS. SUBSTANTIVE PREVENTION PROGRAMS USUALLY INCLUDE FOUR BASIC ELEMENTS: (1) OPERATION ID IN WHICH IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ARE ENGRAVED ON VALUABLES; (2) 'TARGET HARDENING' OR EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN BY BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS; (3) NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK WATCHES; AND (4) ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME PREVENTION. ALTHOUGH POLICE TEND TO FAVOR 'TARGET HARDENING,' ITS SUCCESS HAS BEEN PROVEN ONLY IN HIGHLY SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, SUCH AS BULLETPROOF NEW YORK SUBWAY BOOTHS. KENTUCKY'S CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. THE ARTICLE IS FOLLOWED BY A REPORT ON A COMPREHENSIVE CRIME PREVENTION EFFORT UNDERTAKEN IN HARTFORD, CONN., AND A SHORT STUDY ON THE USE OF AUTO DECALS ON NEIGHBORHOOD CARS TO ISOLATE POTENTIAL INTRUDERS IN THE NEW JERSEY SUBURBS. (MJM)