Crime Prevention and Community Policing:
A Vital Partnership
At its heart, community policing – like all policing since the time of Sir Robert Peel is about preventing crime. In an era of decreasing resources, crime prevention offers a cost-effective way to make communities safer; community policing engages residents as well as law enforcement in that sizable task. By making the most of both, communities greatly increase their capacity to resist crime, reduce fear, and restore or sustain civic vitality.
A Shared Goal, A Shared Base
The overarching goal of both crime prevention and community policing is enhancing the safety of the public and the health of the community. Modern crime prevention arose out of findings in the 1970’s that individuals and neighborhood groups were capable of contributing importantly to their own security. Neighborhood Watch, home security surveys, personal safety training, and similar programs emerged as useful preventive adjuncts to the work of law enforcement.
Crime Prevention is defined as:
A pattern of attitudes and behaviors directed both at reducing the threat of crime and enhancing the sense of safety and security, to positively influence the quality of life in our society and to help develop environments where crime cannot flourish.
Crime Prevention Is:
Crime Prevention Requires:
-
A central position of law enforcement
-
Active cooperation among all elements of the community
-
EducationTailoring to local needs and conditions
-
Continual testing and improving
Crime Prevention Improves the quality of life for every community
Some of the crime prevention programs that the Highlands Police Department is involved in are:
|
