- Email: [email protected]
Plainfield crime prevention unit
74
PROJECTNOTES
designs, three program evaluations, five training institutes, and extensive general consultation to agencies. The Center established an undergraduate curriculum in law enforcement in the Sociology-Anthropology Department, a corrections concentration at the undergraduate level and a criminal justice planning curriculum at the graduate level in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. It established a law enforcement AA degree at Mesabi State Junior College. Lastly, it developed twenty-three forty-five minute video-taped simulated correctional institution field trips. Certain suggestions nesota, Duluth. First, versity as a knowledge
are crystalized from the experience the region and the university must resource for that region. Secondly,
of the University of Minaccept the role of the unithe Center should be sub-
sidized through both university and extra-university funds. Thirdly, policy should be established by a board composed of representatives of the university, criminal justice agencies and the public. And lastly, all must be committed to the objectives and the component missions ignated to serve.
for the enhancement
of criminal
justice
UMD Criminology Center University of Minnesota, Duluth School of Social Work Duluth,
Minnesota
within
Romine
the area it is des-
R. Deming,
Ph.D.
55812
PLAINFIELD
CRIME
PREVENTION
UNIT
The Plainfield New Jersey Crime Prevention Unit project has united police and residents of an aging, high crime rate neighborhood in an effort that has had a marked effect on both the incidence of crime and resident-police relationship. Project director Sterling West reports that crime statistics in all categories have undergone a steady downward trend since the program was initiated in June, 1971 with the aid of a $38,310 grant from the State Law Enforcement Planning Agency. The target neighborhood, according to 1969 statistics, contained 12 percent of the city’s population but accounted for 32 percent of its adult crime and 52 percent of its juvenile crime. The unit staff had been engaged in multi-pronged efforts to educate and gain the confidence and cooperation of residents. The unit staff got the program rolling by sending letters describing the aims of the program to all residents and by holding a series of conferences during which problems and complaints were aired and crime prevention tips were provided. Staff members make daily detailed checks of police reports, using the data to evaluate crime patterns and schedule visits with crime victims. These visits are designed not only to obtain information that might aid in apprehending criminals but to provide suggestions on what can be done to protect the victims from future incidents. The unit makes house-by-house surveys, checks locks, advising residents on security precautions and educating them on crime patterns. Early this year, a “hotline” for anonymous reports of suspect criminal activity was established. It has produced an average of a tip a day. Other components of the pro-
75
PROJECINOTES
Identification,” gram are “Operation valuables with personal identification
a project
to etch
markings
and undertaken with which has produced
local Jaycee chapter; “Operation Good Neighbor” informational literature and “Operation Nightlight” “Operation Aware” is a project designed lights. the other projects. While crime is down ings have been reduced notes
that
both
significantly approximately
residents
means
of reducing
crime
groups
in the aftermath
and and
line
police
have
had
been
accepted built
the up
household
the aid of the 8,000 pieces of 64 new street about all of
neighborhood, breaking over the previous year.
officers that
stolen
which has produced to let residents know
in the model 50 percent
the hostility
commonly
and enterAnd West
program
between
the
as
of the 1967 riots.
New Jersey State Law Enforcement 447 Bellevue Avenue Trenton, N.J. 08618
Planning
Agency
a
two
Al Drake Coordinator of Public Information
PROJECTNOTES
designs, three program evaluations, five training institutes, and extensive general consultation to agencies. The Center established an undergraduate curriculum in law enforcement in the Sociology-Anthropology Department, a corrections concentration at the undergraduate level and a criminal justice planning curriculum at the graduate level in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. It established a law enforcement AA degree at Mesabi State Junior College. Lastly, it developed twenty-three forty-five minute video-taped simulated correctional institution field trips. Certain suggestions nesota, Duluth. First, versity as a knowledge
are crystalized from the experience the region and the university must resource for that region. Secondly,
of the University of Minaccept the role of the unithe Center should be sub-
sidized through both university and extra-university funds. Thirdly, policy should be established by a board composed of representatives of the university, criminal justice agencies and the public. And lastly, all must be committed to the objectives and the component missions ignated to serve.
for the enhancement
of criminal
justice
UMD Criminology Center University of Minnesota, Duluth School of Social Work Duluth,
Minnesota
within
Romine
the area it is des-
R. Deming,
Ph.D.
55812
PLAINFIELD
CRIME
PREVENTION
UNIT
The Plainfield New Jersey Crime Prevention Unit project has united police and residents of an aging, high crime rate neighborhood in an effort that has had a marked effect on both the incidence of crime and resident-police relationship. Project director Sterling West reports that crime statistics in all categories have undergone a steady downward trend since the program was initiated in June, 1971 with the aid of a $38,310 grant from the State Law Enforcement Planning Agency. The target neighborhood, according to 1969 statistics, contained 12 percent of the city’s population but accounted for 32 percent of its adult crime and 52 percent of its juvenile crime. The unit staff had been engaged in multi-pronged efforts to educate and gain the confidence and cooperation of residents. The unit staff got the program rolling by sending letters describing the aims of the program to all residents and by holding a series of conferences during which problems and complaints were aired and crime prevention tips were provided. Staff members make daily detailed checks of police reports, using the data to evaluate crime patterns and schedule visits with crime victims. These visits are designed not only to obtain information that might aid in apprehending criminals but to provide suggestions on what can be done to protect the victims from future incidents. The unit makes house-by-house surveys, checks locks, advising residents on security precautions and educating them on crime patterns. Early this year, a “hotline” for anonymous reports of suspect criminal activity was established. It has produced an average of a tip a day. Other components of the pro-
75
PROJECINOTES
Identification,” gram are “Operation valuables with personal identification
a project
to etch
markings
and undertaken with which has produced
local Jaycee chapter; “Operation Good Neighbor” informational literature and “Operation Nightlight” “Operation Aware” is a project designed lights. the other projects. While crime is down ings have been reduced notes
that
both
significantly approximately
residents
means
of reducing
crime
groups
in the aftermath
and and
line
police
have
had
been
accepted built
the up
household
the aid of the 8,000 pieces of 64 new street about all of
neighborhood, breaking over the previous year.
officers that
stolen
which has produced to let residents know
in the model 50 percent
the hostility
commonly
and enterAnd West
program
between
the
as
of the 1967 riots.
New Jersey State Law Enforcement 447 Bellevue Avenue Trenton, N.J. 08618
Planning
Agency
a
two
Al Drake Coordinator of Public Information