NCJ Number
101350
Date Published
1985
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This report outlines the unique problems of rural policing and crime prevention and describes some innovative Canadian police-community crime prevention programs, with emphasis on the processes of program planning, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance.
Abstract
Factors which make rural police work challenging include large geographic distances, limited police resources, large policing jurisdictions, increased access to previously remote areas, and less security-consciousness among rural residents. To deal with these problems, a number of programs were developed which involved careful planning, study of the unique crime problem, and cooperation between community and police. A farm chemical theft prevention program involved marking chemical containers, security surveys of storage facilities, and extensive publicization of the program. Another program, resulting in decreased residential and commercial break-ins included an evaluation of crime patterns, a property marking campaign, increased police visibility, public education, and police targeting of break-and-enters. A program of tagging (with publicization) of Christmas trees by growers was effective in preventing this specialized form of theft. Finally rural crime watch programs have been implemented in areas across Canada. Program components include citizen range and citizen-band radio patrols, property identification, police training, public education, increased farm and outbuilding security measures, and a ride-along program. Supplementary program materials and 31-item bibliography.