Crime Prevention

1. Crime Prevention A Project of Southern University at New Orleans Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development George Amedee, Ph.D., Project Director Author John Penny, Ph.D. Th.D. Chair, Department of Social Sciences

2. CRIME PREVENTION DEFINED: Crime prevention is any initiativeor policy which reduces or eliminates the aggregate level of victimization or the risk of individual criminal participation. It includes government and community based programs to reduce the incidents of risk factors correlated with criminal participation and the rate of victimization, as well as efforts to change perceptions.

3. Current Trends in Crime • The crime rate is increasing. • Teenagers are responsible for a disproportionate share of violent crime. • The median age of a criminal is dropping. • A majority of the crimes are committed by Habitual criminals. • Most criminals are not caught or convicted.

4. Black on Black Murders • Homicide among blacks has reached epidemic proportions. • African Americans are six times more likely to be murdered than whites. • Nearly two thirds of black homicides are drug related. • Homicide is the leading cause of death for African American men between ages 15 and 24.

5. Violence Prevention and Education for Children • Teaches youth violence control and problem solving. • Youth need specific skills to combat violent influences in their lives. • Encourage families to use violence prevention and communication skills. • Church, youth groups, recreation, and community programs must promote violence prevention and positive decision-making. • Form private and local government sponsored youth programs.

6. Building a Stronger Neighborhood Watch • Neighborhood watch is a crime prevention program stressing education and common sense and teaches citizens how to help themselves. • Neighborhood watch involves identifying and reporting suspicious activities in your neighborhood to improve safety and the quality life for residents.

7. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH FOCUS • Neighborhood watch focuses on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime. • Employs strategies that range from promoting social interaction and “watching out for each other” toactive patrols by grouping of citizens.

8. What NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ACCOMPLISHES • Coming together and identifying common interests and shared values. • Fosters a renewed sense of pride and belonging in your communities. • Sustains communication with the police and a home base.

9. STEPS IN STARTING • Map out a specific neighborhood for strategizing. • Incorporate neighborhood involvement to identify ways to address crime patterns in an area. • Build partnerships between law enforcement officers and residents. • Be sure police understand the needs of your neighborhood and serve as role models for youth.

10. OTHER STEPS • Continually assess the needs your neighborhood. • Unitelaw enforcement and residents. • Encourage collective determination of what problem should be addressed and how. • Select and train an active body of volunteers. • Select organized and motivated leaders. • Develop meaningful projects.

11. Private Security • Create and embark upon new projects. • Establish a goal toward which the team is aspiring. • Projects include building a neighborhood playground and painting over graffiti.

12. Private Security • Cover both sides of a street and proceed around the block. • Can be divided into sub units. • Foot patrollers should have radios and cell phones. • Volunteers may also want to wear indentifying clothing. • A log or report sheet should be maintained documenting any activities.

13. Mobile Patrols • Cover a larger area but tend not to provide as intense surveillance on any given block. • Use of a car or bicycle. • Designated with the name and insignia of the patrol or planned route. • Two people should be in the car. • Some patrols have a flashing light on the roof so that it can be identified at night. • Check with your local police department for details.

14. Bicycle Patrols • The bicycle should have proper equipment. • Bear the name and insignia of the group. • Get the bicycles marked or etched and identified by your local police department to deter vandalism and theft. • Riders should travel in groups and work with the police. • A planned route should be mapped and communication must be maintained.

15. School Patrols • Employ parents, grandparents, business people and retirees to guard areas around the school with walkie –talkies or radios. • Ensure that children proceed to school safely and on time. • Can be on duty guarding as well as stranger danger. • Work with the school administration.

16. Window Watcher project • Utilize the time and energy of seniors. • Ask them to keep a watch from their windows at various times. • Ask them to report any suspicious activity or noise to the home base and the police. • Help with mailings and other organizational tasks.

17. Training • All patrollers need to know how to recognize suspicious activity and sounds. • The techniques of obtaining and accurate description of a suspect or vehicle. • Give an accurate description of the location. • Trained and instructed on how to request assistance from police. • Should not take any risks to prevent a crime or to facilitate an arrest.

18. Crime Mapping • Advancement in computer technology. • Form of computer software to collect data about crime incidents and display that information on maps. • Maps depict neighborhoods streets, and use geometric shapes to indicate the location of recent criminal activity. • Police department provides district maps. • Can be done manually.

19. Technology and Security • Video surveillance systems passively record and play back video at certain intervals. • Can be actively monitored by security personnel. • Volunteers and private security are also involved.

20. Home Security Cost Measures To get the best security at a reasonable cost, research what type of security you want. Then determine how much you are willing to spend. KEY questions: • What is the primary reason for your interest in a home security system? • Is your home currently monitored by a security company? • Is your home pre wired for a security system? • What type of home security system are you interested in? • Are you interested in professional installation services for this home security system? • How many entrances does your home have? • What is the approximate square footage of your home? • What is your buying timeframe for this home security system?

21. KEY QUESTIONS ON SECURITY SYSTEMS • What is the primary reason for your interest in a home security system? • Is your home currently monitored by a security company? • Is your home pre wired for a security system? • What type of home security system are you interested in? • Are you interested in professional installation services for this home security system? • How many entrances does your home have? • What is the approximate square footage of your home? • What is your buying timeframe for this home security system?

22. Edited By Stephanie Jordan Project Coordinator SUNO-URAP May 2009 Joey Corley Student Researcher Olubenga Rotimi Akanji