The Perspective Of Collective Cynocy And Efficacycy In A Community

“Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems” (U.S. Department of Justice, 1994, p. vii). Throughout the years, community policing has become a more popular strategy to help law enforcement officials control and deter crime; however, some areas across the United States has had problems in the past with communities and law enforcement working together to ensure a secure and safe environment. Although it is an officer’s duty to maintain order, keep the peace, and solve problems within the area he or she

This paper will examine the concepts of a new criminal justice. It will also discuss why the concept requires the involvement of the entire community and why it may be difficult to implement. There will also be information on programs that promote safe neighborhoods and why communities may like and dislike these different programs.

The third and present day era of policing is Community Policing. Community policing is an organization-wide philosophy and management approach that promotes community, government and police partnerships; proactive problem solving; and community engagement to address the causes of crime, fear of crime and other community issues (Hess, Wrobleski pg. 10). Community policing goes beyond the traditional policing from the previous eras. Officers are assigned to designated areas, in which they get to know the citizens of the neighborhoods they are assigned. They use a more effective means of patrol such as foot patrol, and bicycle patrol. They do not just patrol around in vehicles, and respond to service calls. This goes back to one of Peel’s principles, “Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public. The police must obtain a more involved relationship with the citizen of a community in order for the community to help the police with their patrolling to deter crime.

Community policing has evolved to be the most used strategy for policing. “It is an approach to crime detection and prevention that provides police officers and supervisors with new tools for addressing recurrent problems that plague communities and consume a majority of police agency time and resources” (Peak, 2012, 65). It has been defined by various people differently. But all the definitions have similar principles (Chappell, 2009). They focus on proactive problem solving and create relationships with the community to address any issue that may arise. Community policing is a combination of client-oriented and problem-oriented policing.

In recent times, public officials, community groups and activists have expressed their concern over the growth of violence perpetrated by youth gangs. On their own, local governments are often restricted not only by budgetary constraints, but operating knowledge. There is evidence that when public officials and community groups are engaged, empowered and enlightened in a collaborative effort, change happens. When both the public and private sectors willingly cooperate together, deterrence of gang violence can be achieved. This paper delves into specific government programs that studies and provides information on gang violence. This information brings forward specific limitations and recommendations that a continued collaborative effort can deter youth gang violence.

Community mobilization would include local citizens and organizations working as a team to understand gang structures and provide social intervention and social opportunities. This would include police officers, probation officers, church groups whom would provide opportunities whenever possible on a micro level. On a micro and mezzo level, social interventions would then reach out to youths unable to connect with legitimate social institutions and provide crisis counseling, family counseling. Also providing referrals to services such as drug treatment, jobs, and educational programs. Provision of social opportunity would provide individualized services for each youth based on his or her needs. Suppression involves greater communication between agency service providers and control providers, jointly decide the outcome of a youth when trouble arises. Lastly, on a macro level, organizational change amongst local agencies and groups would all collaborate with one another providing important information for the program that the other may not be able to obtain. I believe I would of been interested in the macro aspect of the project doing outreach work because I feel as though it had the greatest impact on target youth. Outreach work is a key component of one of Chicago’s anti-gang violence program. On a macro approach the aim for this project is more societal and the model resembles that of a bureaucracy.

The police and community working together does show a positive impact on reducing crime and helping to reduce fear of crime.

Community crime prevention programs incorporate practices that target changes in a community’s culture, physical environment, or infrastructure to reduce crime such as gang involvement and violence (Citation Needed). This paper will examine the following three different strategies used in crime prevention programs: focused deterrence strategy, problem-solving policing, and situational crime prevention. Deterrence strategy or theory states that crimes can be prevented when the costs of committing the crime are perceived by the offender to outweigh the benefits of committing the crime (Braga et al., 2001). Programs that use the theory of situational crime prevention believe that crime can be reduced by identifying and then eliminating the forces that facilitate would-be offenders’ criminal acts (Clarke, 1992). Problem-oriented policing is an analytic method used by police to develop strategies that prevent and reduce crime. Under this method, a law enforcement agency will systematically analyze the problems of a community, search for effective solutions to the problems, and evaluate the impact of their efforts (Weisburd et al., 2004).

Of the many policing strategies that have been used, Broken Windows Policing is one that has remained questionable when it comes to its effectiveness. The model of Broken Windows Policing focuses on how disorder is important in generating and sustaining serious crime. The model does not suggest that there is a direct link between disorder and serious crime but instead that disorder may lead to an increased fear and withdrawal from the residents in the surrounding area, which then allows more serious crime to happen because there is a decreased level of social control. The theory also states that police are able to play a large role in stopping this process by focusing on disorder and less serious crime. By doing this, the police would be able to decrease fear and resident withdrawal in the area. By promoting and implementing higher levels of social control, residents will be better able to have more control of their neighborhood and prevent serious crimes from happening (“Broken Windows Policing” n.d.).

First, community policing can be identified or known in numerous ways, one being the broken windows theory. An overview of broken windows theory through policing is known that because of “lack of social order” or policing neighborhoods are unkempt and vandalized. As a result, with the help of community policing, programs are evaluated, crime patterns are analyzed, and information is shared with organizations and other municipal agencies and with the community to help build stronger bonds with the community(Reisig,

The ones most responsible for controlling crime in the community is the community itself. Although the other factors, such as government, education, and families, are crucial, the community is ultimately accountable. They are the ones who control a large group of people and attend their specific needs. In order to control crimes within the neighborhood, it should be solved by the people who live within the region. In addition, the individuals living in the area must be able to solve their own situations, which in this case includes controlling crime.

In conclusion, the gathered data and research on the efficacy of existing anti-gang laws and programs is dependent on the circumstances surrounding the local government in the target area. The success of gang prevention and intervention is highly dependent on government, local and state funding, immigration enforcement, schooling, community involvement and other similar factors. Initiatives such as G.R.E.A.T. and A Better LA. provide measurable benefits but do not solidify success to the majority. Programs that are successful at teaching the consequences of gang involvement and assist with improving police and community relations are worth the investment. While the programs and initiatives may not be a saving grace for those at risk for gang activity, they have proven to reduce delinquent behavior.

Gangs currently hold the power in this community while residents are powerless. They have placed fear on the residents who feel like prisoners in their own community. The goal of Social Action is to shift power back to the community. Residents must act and resist the threats of gangs, and the only way to achieve change in their community is to mobilize against gangs. The community must confront gang and drug activity with the resources provided by the City Manager and Police Chief.

The definition of social cohesion is the willingness of members of society to cooperate with each other to survive and prosper (Stanley 2013). The states and counties that have implemented CCP have experienced multiple benefits. The citizens have tighter community involvement with an increase in police community partnerships programs. (Gau, 2008). Individuals within these communities carry for their own safety, as well, feel a social responsibility to protect their community and maintain a high level of vigilance (Gau, 2008). In many communities around the United States where there is strong social cohesion you will find armed guards in many public places, not to stop crime, but provide a visible deterrent for criminals.

Community policing as a concept is mainly about allowing the community a voice in determining the priorities law enforcement. Allen & Sawhney (2015) defines community police as collaborative effort between police and the community they serve to customize the delivery of police services (p. 307). In order to utilize the community policing approach, it is important for agencies to have a strong bond and trust with the community they serve. Without this trust, creative policing innovations fall short. Despite what shortcomings the approach to policing may have for law enforcement, the popularity of community led or community based policing is on the rise in America. American law enforcement as an industry faces a never-ending public relations crisis, especially during the onset of tough on crime approaches prevalent in of the last forty years. Within the two decades, community police strategies based on bringing key stakeholders together to