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PREVENTION OF CRIME BY THE POLICE OF FRANCE

NCJ Number
49990
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 10-16
Author(s)
L DURIN
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A MANY-FACETED CRIME PREVENTION APPROACH IS DESCRIBED INCLUDING SPECIAL JUVENILE PREVENTION SQUADS, CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS, INTENSIVE POLICE SURVEILLANCE OF HIGH-CRIME AREAS, AND SPECIAL DRUG UNITS.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION IN FRANCE INCORPORATES INTENSIVE POLICE SURVEILLANCE, A CORPS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTHS WHO MIGHT GET INTO TROUBLE, INTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS FOR BUSINESSES, CITIZEN CRIME WATCH PROGRAMS, AND A NATIONAL PROGRAM TO ELIMINATE THE POCKETS OF SOCIOECONOMIC DEPRIVATION WHICH BREED CRIME. THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM RECEIVES STRONG POLICE SUPPORT. THESE TRAINED MEN AND WOMEN WORK CLOSELY WITH SCHOOLS TO IDENTIFY ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND TO SECURE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ALSO ORGANIZE ATHLETIC CLUBS IN POOR NEIGHBORHOODS. WHENEVER A YOUTH STARTS TO GET INTO TROUBLE, HE OR SHE IS ASSIGNED TO A VOLUNTEER WHO ATTEMPTS TO HELP THE CHILD. THIS UNIT ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE NARCOTICS UNIT TO IDENTIFY YOUNG DRUG OFFENDERS AND SECURE TREATMENT FOR THEM. THE ADULT CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM USES BOTH PERSONAL POLICE CONTACT AND LETTERS TO ALERT CITIZENS TO CRIME DANGERS. THE OLD-FASHIONED 'BEAT PATROL SYSTEM' HAS BEEN REESTABLISHED AND POLICE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO BEATS STUDY THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, SPOT POTENTIAL CRIME VICTIMS, ATTEMPT TO GET THE HOME OR BUSINESS TO INSTALL STRONGER LOCKS OR MAKE OTHER CRIME-PREVENTION MODIFICATIONS. SPECIAL LETTER CAMPAIGNS HAVE BEEN USED TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF CRIME-PREVENTION TECHNIQUES AMONG THE ELDERLY, SMALL SHOPKEEPERS, AND BANKS AND OTHER PLACES WHICH HANDLE LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY. MOST OF THESE CAMPAIGNS HAVE BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL. TO ATTACK THE ROOTS OF DELINQUENCY, A GROUP CALLED 'HABITAT ET VIE SOCIALE,' COMPRISED OF SEVEN MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENTS, IS TRYING TO IMPROVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN POVERTY POCKETS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY HAS ASKED PRINT MEDIA AND RADIO AND TELEVISION TO DOWNPLAY CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, AND TELEVISION STATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DELAY THE SHOWING OF VIOLENT FILMS UNTIL AFTER 11:00 P.M. A PLEA FOR CONTINUED COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND PUBLIC IS MADE. (GLR)