NCJ Number
58964
Date Published
1979
Length
96 pages
Annotation
THE FINAL EVALUATION REPORT ON THE 2-YEAR COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PROJECT OF THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS PRESENTED; METHODOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES INVOLVED INTERVIEWS, SURVEYS, AND DATA ANALYSES.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT WAS TO EDUCATE CITIZENS AND MOTIVATE THEM TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE THEIR VULNERABILITY TO THE SPECIFIC CRIME OF BURGLARY, WITH SOME ATTENTION TO OTHER THEFT CRIMES AND VIOLENT CRIMES. A SLOWING IN THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF BURGLARIES AND A DECLINE IN BURGLARIES PER 1,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE SHERIFF'S JURISDICTION WAS NOTED; THEREFORE, PROJECT EFFORTS IN THE FUTURE SHOULD FOCUS ON AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST INCIDENCE OF CRIME. THE TECHNIQUES OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH DEVELOPMENT AND INSPECTION FOR SECURITY OF RESIDENCES AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSESS WERE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES USED TO ENCOURAGE CITIZEN INTEREST AND ACTION. IN ADDITION, PROJECT STAFF WERE ABLE TO INTEGRATE AND EXPAND PREVENTIVE EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BY INVOLVING FIELD DEPUTIES AND DETECTIVES IN PROJECT ACTIVITIES. AS A RESULT, DEPUTIES WERE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME ON ENFORCEMENT DUTIES WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE FUNCTION OF CRIME PREVENTION. TOTAL PROJECT COSTS FOR THE 2-YEAR PERIOD WERE APPROXIMATELY $1,650,000; IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE IN FISCAL TERMS. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROJECT STAFF WAS EFFECTIVE IN INCREASING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS, AND CONTINUATION OF THE PROJECT WAS RECOMMENDED. REFERENCES AND APPENDIXES ARE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)