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Bureau of Justice Assistance
approach to the problems of crime and disorder, an approach that may very
well enhance and maximize performance and resources, have struck a re-
sponsive chord in both national and local governments and in communities
across the Nation.
Government and community leaders are beginning to recognize that they also
must accept responsibility for keeping their neighborhoods safe. Communities
must take a unified stand against crime, violence, and disregard for the law,
and must make a commitment to increasing crime-prevention and interven-
tion activities. Police agencies must help build stronger, more self-sufficient
communities—communities in which crime and disorder will not thrive.
Community policing is democracy in action. It requires the active participation
of local government, civic and business leaders, public and private agencies,
residents, churches, schools, and hospitals. All who share a concern for the
welfare of the neighborhood should bear responsibility for safeguarding that
welfare. Community policing is being advocated by leaders at the highest
levels of government—including President Clinton and Attorney General
Reno, who describes it as the “changing of policing.” In addition, it has been
suggested that community policing can play a primary role in changing the
way all government services are provided at the community level.
The implementation of community policing necessitates fundamental changes
in the structure and management of police organizations. Community policing
differs from traditional policing in how the community is perceived and in its
expanded policing goals. While crime control and prevention remain central
priorities, community policing strategies use a wide variety of methods to
address these goals. The police and the community become partners in
addressing problems of disorder and neglect (e.g., gang activity, abandoned
cars, and broken windows) that, although perhaps not criminal, can eventu-
ally lead to serious crime. As links between the police and the community
are strengthened over time, the ensuing partnership will be better able to
pinpoint and mitigate the underlying causes of crime.
Police are finding that crime-control tactics need to be augmented with
strategies that prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, and improve the
quality of life in neighborhoods. Fear of crime has become a significant
problem in itself. A highly visible police presence helps reduce fear within
the community, fear which has been found to be “␣.␣.␣.␣more closely corre-
lated with disorder than with crime.”
1
However, because fear of crime can
limit activity, keep residents in their homes, and contribute to empty streets,
this climate of decline can result in even greater numbers of crimes. By
getting the community involved, police will have more resources available
for crime-prevention activities, instead of being forced into an after-the-fact
response to crime.
1. Kelling, George L., and Mark H. Moore. The Evolving Strategy of Policing. Perspectives on
Policing. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice and John F. Kennedy School of
Government, Harvard University. 1988:p.8. Based on The Newark Foot Patrol Experiment.
Washington, D.C.: Police Foundation. 1981.
Community policing is
democracy in action.