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Crime Prevention

Strategic Crime Prevention Efforts Used by Cities

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If your city’s crime prevention efforts are focused on repairs and reversing damages caused by the crime, those efforts can only go so far until resources and budgets are completely depleted. It’s critical to have proactive methods in crime enforcement operations to have a truly effective “prevention” program.

According to a report prepared by the National Institute of Justice (NCJRS) titled “Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising,” it defines “crime prevention” not by the intentions or methods, but by the results. Cities enforce curfews, lock gates and increase street lighting in order to get the results of preventing nuisance crimes like graffiti, trespassing, metal theft and illegal dumping from taking place.

With the increasing levels of crime and reduced amount of available resources, tools like remote surveillance systems are options many cities are implementing into their crime prevention strategies as well. Other communities implement neighborhood watch programs, which not only serves as a deterrence but also helps extend the presence of law enforcement by having more “eyes” on the street to help stop crime from taking place.

Education and awareness programs are also key efforts that cities and schools should continue to provide for their community.  Although the results may not be seen immediately, the long term impact of empowering a community with crime prevention tips and strategies helps reduce overall crime significantly, creating a safer, cleaner environment that everyone can take pride in.

School safety

School Security and School Safety

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With Spring Break fast approaching, schools should be focusing on plans to protect their vacant campuses during the extended break. Every year, schools become targets for vandalism, trespassing, graffiti and theft, leaving behind extensive and EXPENSIVE damages for the district.

As we focus on “school security” and “school safety,” these two terms seem interchangeable, but there is difference between the two. Dan Flynn, author of the article “The ABCs of School Security” featured in Police Chief Magazine differentiates between the two.

School safety relies on the condition of the school, where school security relies on the means and products in which to deliver the safe environment. School safety is an “ideal” state of being  free of any hazards or danger. Building codes, preventative maintenance efforts, good community, and well trained staff are all examples of what can create a safer school environment.  School security is the condition of being protected or prevented from danger. Security cameras, campus police and school resource officers, and CPTED are examples of school security. When schools improve on their security efforts, they tend to improve their overall safety of the school.

Police Chief Magazine also suggests collaborating between law enforcement experts and the private security industry experts to develop school security programs. By training the teachers and providing the latest technology and security systems in schools will also provide a safer environment for the students and faculty.