JHarris Crime Prevention Strategy Comparisons 0422 2015

Crime Prevention Strategy Comparisons
Jaime Harris

J415/CJE4444 Section 01 Crime Prevention
Instructor Charles Walerius April 25 ,2015

Crime prevention strategies has been exercised in various different ways, for different targeted groups, through various programs and departments. In this assignment I will describe strategies in my local area, potential outcomes and possible negative outcomes.

Neighborhood Block watch
Neighborhood Block watch program provides a sense of security, by reducing the fear of crime through creating a community with connected and trusted neighbors. The Neighborhood Block watch program is a citizens’ organization that works closely with law enforcement to educate its members about crime prevention and prompt and accurate reporting of suspicious persons and activities to authorities, in hopes to provide a safe place for for families to live.
The benefits of a block watch include: reducing the risk of being a crime victim being that participants are taught how to take preventative measures , being better prepared to respond to suspicious activity because the block watch program educates members on how to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Other benefits would be knowing your neighbors and lastly,keeping participants informed about criminal activity information to better prepare them on how to stop it in their neighborhood.
Negative outcomes of a neighborhood block watch could be trusting participants and sharing your schedule within the program but an actual neighbor is a criminal who takes advantage and utilize their schedules to commit burglaries in their community. Other negative outcomes could be Unnecessary reportings by residents to authorities, residents feeling as if they have power because of their participation in the program and forming a pact or negative attitude towards other neighbors.

D.A.R.E
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) is a program taught in elementary schools,by uniformed law enforcement officers which focuses on teaching the skills needed to recognize and resist social pressures to use drugs. It contains lessons about drugs and their consequences, decision-making skills, self-esteem, and alternatives to drugs. Teaching techniques include lectures, group discussions, question–and-answer sessions, audiovisual materials, workbook exercises, and role-playing.

The DARE programs have come under much scrutiny recently. Many DARE program evaluations conducted across the country have not found that the program has much success in reducing drug use among youth. Researchers conclude in a U.S. Department of Justice report that the DARE core curriculum will not reduce substance use among students. The report recommends that any further reliance on DARE as a drug prevention strategy should be viewed as a part of a more comprehensive program using social learning and life learning skills.

Street Surveillance Cameras
Another crime prevention strategy used in Toledo, Ohio are surveillance cameras which are posted throughout various neighborhoods and main streets. These surveillance cameras has been an amazing addition to our city towards reducing crime, There cameras reduce the likelihood a a crime being committed in the vicinity being that they would be recorded and caught by the authorities as that area is under 24 hour watch. The downfall `is that because the cameras are noticeable with bright blinking lights, criminals are sure to not commit crime the facing of the camera but will on the opposite end or side of the facing camera. All in all, cameras are placed in highly crime committed areas and where traffic accidents and violations have been committed as well. I believe that this strategy has been the most beneficial strategy as of yet in our city towards reducing crime.

Reference Page
Dungjen,Taylor (2014) Article.Toledo's police surveillance cameras credited with curbing crime. The Toledo Blade. http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2014/06/08/Toledo-s-police-surveillance-cameras-credited-with-curbing-crime.html#gGAFw3oQ54c7Sq63.99

Nieto, Marcus (1999) book. Security and Crime Prevention Strategies in https://www.library.ca.gov/crb/99/12/99-012.pdf http://www.toledobw.org/block-watch-purpose/