NCJ Number
203591
Editor(s)
Gordon Mayer
Date Published
2002
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This manual is designed to assist community leaders to organize their communities to fight crime at the neighborhood level.
Abstract
Crime prevention is often the number one concern of neighborhood organizations seeking to better their living environment. The National Training and Information Center (NTIC) has been offering guidance on safety to neighborhood groups across the country since the 1980’s. Following an introduction on the power of neighborhood organizing, part 1 discusses the basic elements of organizing. Tips are offered for how to effectively campaign for neighbors’ support and how to draw out the salient neighborhood issues, which is referred to as “fishing.” Also discussed is how to run successful block meetings, leadership meetings, and public meetings. An example of an agenda for a public meeting is provided. Part 1 also discusses how to deal with residents’ fear, how to hold neighborhood stakeholders accountable for neighborhood problems, and how to effectively confront problems. Part 2 moves on to provide safety organizing strategies, such as organizing neighborhood watches, phone trees, and holding regular meetings with local police. Three different types of strategies for working with local police to keep neighborhoods safe are outlined: the task force approach, the hot spot cards approach, and the nuisance abatement approach. Also discussed in part 2 is the issue of how neighborhood safety affects local schools. Finally, other tactics that neighborhood groups have used to promote safety and fight crime are offered. Part 3 overviews fundraising, research, and communication, which are all important functions of successful neighborhood organizations. Fundraising provides the means for neighborhood organizations to continue their work and involves not only monetary funds, but also services others are willing to provide to the organization for free, such as the free publication of monthly neighborhood newsletters. The appendix offers contact information about the contributors and resources for national organizations. Appendix