NCJ Number
79333
Date Published
1980
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This LEAA grant report describes the goals and accomplishments of the Media Project Against Crime which produced and disseminated educational materials on crime prevention and the criminal justice system to Franklin, Vance, and Warren counties in North Carolina.
Abstract
A summary of the first grant period's activities between July 1978 and May 1980 focuses on the project's videotape presentations to schools and community groups and feature programs broadcast on the local radio station. Also described are published materials, community efforts in the videotape and audio productions, and a play produced by the project. A preliminary evaluation concludes that the goals of creating greater awareness, understanding, and sense of community responsibility regarding crime prevention were fulfilled. Problems included high staff turnover, inadequate time for evaluation, and lack of specificity in planning. Evaluation measures and the role of the advisory committee are discussed. The report for the continuation grant period -- May 1980 through May 1981 -- begins with a needs assessment based on interviews with community leaders, random street interviews, forums, and telephone calls following a broadcast. The continuation project's goals were to increase literacy about criminal justice through the media, with particular attention to teens, children, and elderly people. A survey of the project's products covers videotapes, children's radio features, children's books, plays involving both teenagers and professionals, posters, a soap opera for teens, audio spots dealing with crime or criminal justice, and feature radio programs. Most difficulties encountered in the continuation period stemmed from the unpredictability of the creative process. The report includes a proposal submitted by the media project to a private foundation, the project budget, a final evaluation summary, and brief descriptions of all videotapes and audio features produced.