Prevention Works

Keeping Crime Prevention Simple – A Strategy for Success

As Crime Prevention Month comes to an end, the National Crime Prevention Council will reflect upon the successes of our constituents and communities in their efforts to prevent crime. One strategy we have consistently gotten feedback on is that simple prevention tips and information are often the best ways to convey information to wide-ranging and varied audiences.

To expand on this notion, one of our National Crime Prevention Level II Specialists, Steven Kerpelman, graciously offered his expertise in the below guest blog. Currently, Mr. Kerpelman serves as the security contractor's Operations Manager and Deputy Project Manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. He has extensive experience in the field of security analysis and crime prevention.

Many leaders in crime prevention, such as law enforcement agencies, Neighborhood Watch captains, and security professionals can conduct a crime prevention survey and recommend numerous ways to keep a particular individual, residence, or business more safe and secure. 

However, if those recommendations are not understood, they will not be implemented. I believe human nature will stop most individuals from stating that they don’t understand everything we recommend, out of a perceived fear that we may think less of them for not understanding.  This is especially important if you use a checklist which doesn’t expand on your recommendations.  In the next paragraph, I will explain what I mean with one of the most basic lock recommendations.

If I am going to recommend a double cylinder deadbolt lock for a door because it is next to a glass pane but has a single cylinder deadbolt, I will explain to the individual what double cylinder means exactly.  It is important to take the extra minute and tell the individual exactly what you mean and show them.  In this example, if you just state the lock must be operated by a key both on the inside and outside, most people will understand this, but they may not understand the term double cylinder.  You can think of it this way; prior to becoming involved in crime prevention, did you know what a double cylinder lock was?  I am sure you knew that some locks operated by a key on the inside and some had a turn knob, but most of you probably just thought of the interior cylinder as “the turning thing.” 

When individuals learn that crime prevention is based on common sense principles, more advanced strategies make more sense to them. I have found that when you keep it simple and explain your areas of concern and solutions to most individuals, they will have a greater sense of what crime prevention entails.

While I use the lock as an example, it should be noted that in some jurisdictions, the double cylinder deadbolt may not be legal.

Don’t Get Scammed After the Storm

Now that Sandy has ripped up the eastern seaboard, flooding homes, tearing off roofs, and bringing down trees, people are beginning to clean up.  There will be a great many good contractors out there that will give you a reasonable price to conduct thorough work.  But there will also be the unscrupulous characters that will overcharge, use inferior products, take a deposit and never return to do the work, and otherwise try to scam you out of your hard-earned money.

Even though you’re in a hurry to get repairs done and debris removed.  Be sure to check out contractors and other repair people before hiring them.

• Use contractors and service people that you’ve used before. Or ask your neighbors or friends for recommendations.
• Get several estimates before choosing someone to do the job.
• Make sure to get a signed contract or estimate before allowing anyone to perform work on your home.
• Check your state’s licensing agency to make sure that your contractor is licensed.  Ask to see proof of insurance.
• Stay away from the guy driving down the road, drumming up business as he goes along.  He may claim that he’s doing work for your neighbor or has materials leftover from another job.  These are almost always scammers.
• Don’t pay with cash.  Although many small contractors don’t accept credit cards, they will accept checks.
• Don’t give service people money to buy materials.  Ideally, contractors will buy the materials up front and bill you later.  If not, them at the store and pay for the materials there.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection groups in your area.

Although there are people who will try to take advantage of others during hard times, there are also communities across the country that will be pulling together in the wake of Sandy’s destruction to help each other dig out, repair, and come together as neighbors.   While watching out for yourself, please remember to help out others.

Lock Crime Out Of Your Home!!!

October is Crime Prevention Month, and a very important topic for all of us here at NCPC is neighborhood and home safety.  Did you know that burglaries can happen during the daytime or even while you are home?  Burglary is the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft.  A person can be convicted of burglary even if nothing is actually stolen.  According to the Burglary Statistics on the Discovery Channel™ website, a burglary occurs approximately every 15 seconds in the United States.  Nearly 66 percent of all burglaries are residential, and of those, 62 percent occur during the daytime.  Most burglaries occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., when no one is likely to be at home.  About 30 percent of all burglaries are classified as "unlawful entry," meaning the burglar was able to gain entry without using force — often through an unlocked door or window.  Scary statistics, however, most burglaries are preventable. 

Being burglarized is a very real threat to you and your family, especially if you live in one of the larger metropolitan areas.  In the Federal Bureau of Investigation's "Crime in the United States" Report in 2010, victims of burglary offenses suffered a collective estimated loss of $4.6 billion in property in 2010; overall, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,119.

In Burglary of Single-Family Houses, a publication produced by the Community Oriented Policing Services Office of the U.S. Department of Justice, it was shown that burglars select targets based on a number of key factors, including the following:

• Familiarity with the target and convenience of the location
• Occupancy
• Visibility or surveillability
• Accessibility
• Vulnerability or security
• Potential rewards.

Below are some helpful crime and burglary prevention steps you can take to help combat crime and make a difference in your community.  

• Use common sense—don’t be an easy target.
• Install quality locks on doors and windows and use them.  Lock and close your doors and windows even when you're home.  Do not rely on thumb-turn locks on windows, as they can be unlocked through a broken window.
• Install deadbolt locks and peepholes on exterior doors and any interior door between the garage and house.  Do not leave your garage door open or unlocked if you are not in the immediate area. 
• Pay attention to suspicious activity or anything that appears out of place.  Immediately report any and all suspicious activity by calling your local 24-hour non-emergency number or 911 in the event of an emergency.
• If you have an alarm, set it!  
• Lighting is one of the best deterrents to nightime burglary—indoor and outdoor lighting are important.  Install lights by all exterior doors and make bulbs hard to reach.
• Beware of solicitors.  Door-to-door salespeople have a business license or permit issued by the City, so always ask to see it for verification.
• Don't let strangers into your home—this includes workers and other—if you are not with them.  Never give keys to people making improvements to your home.
• If you are going to be out of town have family, friends, or neighbors check on your home.  Do not hide spare house keys outside your home but leave them with a trusted neighbor instead.
• Photograph your valuables and engrave your property with a form of identification, such as your driver's license number.
• Have locks changed or re-keyed when moving into a new home or apartment.
• Install track-type locks, drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices on sliding glass doors.
• Trim shrubs around doors and windows so burglars don't have a sheltered place to work.
• Store ladders in the garage or padlock them to fixed objects so burglars can't use them to reach upper floor windows.

Please visit www.ncpc.org  as well as www.celebratesafecommunities.org for additional resources and useful tips on preventing crimes against your home and community.

Celebrate Safe Communities is Crime Prevention Done the Right Way

Celebrate Safe Communities is crime prevention done the right way—local people working with local law enforcement to address local issues. CSC spotlights communities’ crime prevention efforts, enhances public awareness of vital crime prevention and safety messages, and recruits year-round support for ongoing prevention activities that help keep neighborhoods safe from crime and prepared for any emergency.

To further explain the importance and relevance of CSC, NCPC’s President and CEO, Ann Harkins, discussed the initiative with Rebecca Rose, Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Initiatives with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in a podcast. Click here to read the transcript from that exciting conversation.

2012 Themes for Crime Prevention Month in October

Week One:  Community Engagement (October 1-6)

• Engaging the public through academies, training, and outreach
• Engaging targeted stakeholders - youth, seniors, businesses

Week Two:  Neighborhood and Home Safety (October 7-13)

• Property Crime
• Car Theft – focusing on electronics
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Week Three:  Personal Safety (October 14-20)

• Stranger Danger
• Bullying Prevention
• Theft Prevention

Week Four:  Cyber Safety (October 21-31)

• Safe Online Surfing and Social Networking
• ID Theft Prevention
• Cyberbullying Prevention

 A CSC event can be anything large or small, such as an anti-drug march, a community safety fair, or a neighborhood clean-up. When you register your event, you will have access to free downloadable crime prevention resources, training programs, and other incentives. The first 500 sites to register will also receive a starter kit of resources, such as Neighborhood Watch manuals and safety-themed comic books. For more information, contact Kristen Adamowicz at 202-261-4156 or kadamowicz@ncpc.org.

 Register your public safety event at www.celebratesafecommunities.org and join hundreds of other neighborhoods across the country working together to create safe communities.

Crime Shows and Why Women Love Them

I am a huge fan of crime shows on television.  Shows like Criminal Minds, CSI, NCIS, and Law and Order have dominated the television screens of millions of Americans since their inception.  I love them for the suspense, intrigue, and the stories of survival.  However, pure entertainment is not the only thing viewers are getting when watching these shows.  Researchers from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln surveyed hundreds of people about how often they watch different types of crime shows (e.g. crime dramas versus “real crime” shows) and found that the type of crime shows people watch influenced their perceptions on everything from the crime rate to their faith in the criminal justice system. (Watching the Detectives: Crime Programming, Fear of Crime, and Attitudes About the Criminal Justice System). 

Also coming out of this research was a barely-explored notion that women who watch these fictional or “real crime” shows also view them as opportunities to learn personal safety tips.  Of course I love the entertainment value as much as the next person but I have always believed it was just me who watched them and thought, “I wonder if that would really work to get me out of the same situation.”

A radio station who picked up on the research study hosted a call-in segment to see if this theory was right.  Do women watch these clenching dramas for ideas on how to escape criminal situations?  I listened with rapt attention to find out if there were others like me.  It turns out that many women see these shows as a lesson in protecting themselves.  The crimes portrayed in these shows hold the attention of many women because they know these crimes can occur in everyday life.  Based on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln research, we know the people who watch crime shows are likely to believe the crime rate is higher and hold many other skewed perceptions.  Perhaps their belief in being able to get out of a criminal situation safely by using tips they learned in a TV show is skewed as well.

Even though I work at the National Crime Prevention Council I have occasionally looked around in the middle of doing something and thought, “this is just like that scene from . . .”  I guess I just can’t help but replay in my mind those few seconds that showed how the victim got away.

The research summary did not draw any conclusions about the pros or cons of deriving personal safety tips from crime shows.  So now I’m left with the question:  Is there anything wrong with viewers watching crime shows to get personal safety tips?

Note:  NCPC has a wealth of crime prevention information at your fingertips.  If you need to find personal safety tips, please visit: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety.

Elder Abuse at its Peak in Communities across the United States

Even though National Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15^th, has passed, there is no need to put prevailing trends on the back burner. It takes knowledge and a good heart to help prevent crime of this nature. Elder abuse has been on the rise in many communities. In local communities across the country, Federal government agencies are teaming up with law enforcement and nonprofits to combat this growing trend. Just last year, the Federal government passed the Elder Justice Act that coordinates federal elder abuse detection and prevention programs within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Unfortunately, it is estimated that millions of U.S. elders, from all walks of life, face abuse and neglect every year. Anyone can be victimized. However, there are things you can do to help protect yourself from abuse and neglect. “Family members are typically the abusers and are often the adult children or spouse of the victim”, said Mary Twomey, co-director of the National Center of Elder Abuse. There are many things that one can consider to assist in the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

State legislatures in all 50 states have passed some form of legislation in regards to elder abuse and adult protective services. Passed legislation that authorizes the state to protect and provide services to vulnerable, incapacitated, or disabled adults. In more than three-quarters of the states, the services are provided through the state social service department known as a Adult Protective Services. In the remaining states, the State Units on Aging have the major responsibility.  Many signs can predict that elder abuse is taking place.

Some elder abuse signs to consider are:

• Lack of basic hygiene, adequate food, or clean and appropriate clothing
•  Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, and medications)
• Person with dementia left unsupervised
• Person confined to bed is left without care
• Unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, other
•  Home without adequate facilities (stove, refrigerator, heat, cooling, working plumbing, and electricity)

Some of the organizations, programs, and agencies that pursue prevention tactics are well known throughout the United States. Here are a few organizations that provide resourceful information:

• The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) serves as a national resource center anything related to elder abuse, and additional prevention tips can be found via the NCEA.                                      
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities and similar adult care facilities. The Ombudsman Program is established in all states under the Older Americans Act, which is administered by the Administration on Aging, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.                                                                                                                       
• The Alzheimer's Association is a great source to connect with local chapters and community resources.
• The Foundation Aiding the Elderly (F.A.T.E.) a California non-profit organization seeks to serve as a voice for patients, bring about national reforms, and enforce the laws governing the nursing home industry and its regulatory agencies in order to assure proper care for the elderly in long-term care facilities.
• The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) exists to support family caregivers and to speak out publicly for caregivers' needs.
• The National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) is a non-profit New York-based organization whose stated mission is to provide assistance, education, support, and referrals for informal family caregivers, as well to promote public awareness about the realities of care giving.

The fact remains that when insufficient resources are provided, corners are cut and elders suffer. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) encourages agencies, organizations, and individuals across the world to recognize this underreported issue and raise awareness about the mistreatment of seniors. Let this be a renewal of a life-long commitment to ending elder abuse in the United States. For further information and prevention tips on this crime please contact the NCPC@ncpc.org.

The Impact of Declining Law Enforcement Resources

Public safety officers and police departments play a critical role in crime prevention. Law enforcement agencies are frequently the focal point; officers have first-hand knowledge of crime, its origins, and the community in which they serve. When citizens work with law enforcement, an even stronger force is created to promote public safety in local communities.

An estimated 40 percent of potential criminal activity is prevented because of reported tips from the community. Clearly, police departments have the expertise to stop crime before it happens. Departments also have the unique ability to unite community members, public safety organizations, and government officials together. However, recent and serious budget cuts and personnel reductions have threatened this mutually beneficial relationship between law enforcement and communities.

In 2011, police departments across the nation continued laying off critical personnel such as police officers, and implemented hiring freezes due to shrinking budgets. At least four major cities cut 10 percent of their forces. (Governing.com) President Barack Obama acknowledges the lack of public safety funding, allocating more funding for state and local law enforcement hiring in his 2013 budget proposal. Federal financial support is necessary for law enforcement agencies to continue working to prevent crime.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) recognizes the crucial role law enforcement officers and professionals play in preventing crime. As a result, we proudly offer a national resource to enhance and promote crime prevention and professional development of crime prevention practitioners. The National Crime Prevention Association (NCPA) is an individual membership association for the crime prevention practitioner. The association offers training, resources, conference opportunities, information-sharing outlets, and other benefits for the practitioner.

This professional association allows people in the public, private, and community sectors to learn and share information about best practices in the discipline of crime prevention.  NCPA plans to offer various resources that are not currently available through state-level associations. Some resources include regional information sharing, a national networking system, and access to a national database of proven crime prevention trainers.

We acknowledge the significance of crime prevention practitioners’ expertise.  That’s why the NCPA and NCPC, in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice, have developed a certification program to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of crime prevention.

Through this national certification program, crime prevention practitioners will finally be able to obtain recognition for the expertise that they have developed through years of education, training, experience, and countless hours devoted to their communities. We know that proven crime prevention techniques and practices work to keep communities safer. Now it’s time to recognize the field of crime prevention, and its expert practitioners, as crime prevention specialists. This national certification will do that by setting minimum standards for basic and advanced expertise and recognizing those who have done the work to meet them.

The dedication and support of organizations, communities, government, and people such as you are necessary to continue to prevent crime and its impact on our lives. Since the NCPA’s certification program began last year, over 40 people have been certified. To learn more about how you can apply for certification or to join the National Crime Prevention Association, visit http://www.ncpc.org

Can Anti-Bullying Safeguards Go Too Far?

Last week we spoke about implementing anti-bullying programs in our schools and addressed some challenges around making those programs a success. Sometimes implementing a bullying prevention program requires the support of the school board, Department of Education, and even the state legislation before it can achieve the desired results of the program. In 2010, New Jersey passed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to update its bullying prevention legislation from 2002. Partially inspired by many high-profile youth suicides as a result of bullying, including that of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, the Bill of Rights quickly gained notoriety as being the strictest anti-bullying law in the United States. Taking any measures to protect our students against bullying and aggression is a good thing, right? Some educators and administrators disagree, saying that the legislation has gone too far.

Cons to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act

            The new legislation includes a lengthy list of additional requirements for schools. Educators and other school staff must report any instances of bullying known to them, on or off campus, if the incidences cause disruption with school operation; failure to comply will result in disciplinary action. Strict timelines were instated for reporting incidents to the principal, who then has a deadline to address and resolve the issue. Another challenge with reporting is determining if an altercation is bullying or a conflict. Inability to distinguish the two may result in additional reports that must be completed. Time used to focus on bullying identification, reporting, and resolution takes away from other issues with which students need assistance.

 An initial concern with implementing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights in schools was the financial burden associated with it. Schools are required to attend trainings and create programs, but were not provided additional funding to support these efforts. In March 2012, Governor Christie remedied the problem by amending the legislation to include $1 million dollars for grant funding in the Bullying Prevention Fund. Grants will be distributed to local school districts that have exhausted all other free training options. How much additional work will be required for districts to examine and exhaust free training options?  While the grants will help take the financial burdens off of school districts, will it be enough? Is $1 million dollars enough to spread across all the school districts in the state? Only time and experience can give us the answers we’re looking for.

Pros to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act

            Implementation of any new program takes time, money, and adjustment to change. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act requires schools to take measures against bullying that prior to the law, may have just been a dream. Financial decisions on how to use money in a limited budget can leave desired programs and trainings by the wayside. Now trainings to keep all school educators and staff abreast of bullying prevention techniques are mandatory. Parental involvement in school activities has always been a challenge for schools, but now in compliance with the new law, schools must create and implement a safety team of parents and school staff to investigate reported incidences. Data isn’t available yet on the effects of the law, making it hard to determine if it will have a positive impact on school climate and bullying incidences. For now we can take comfort that New Jersey schools are combating bullying with full force.

In December 2011, the New Jersey Department of Education released a guidebook on the legislation, discussing the expectations and requirements of the law and how to implement it in your school. If you think that your school could benefit from having the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights implemented, click here to learn how to start that process.

For more information on bullying prevention and available resources to support your efforts, sign up today for the FREE professional development webinar for educators presented by the School Improvement Network, Bullying: Understanding the Problem, Defining Solutions on May 30th 2012, 3:00pm with Robin Young of the National Crime Prevention Council.

Click here to register for the FREE webinar: http://www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EA57D783884f

Overcoming the Challenges Faced in Implementing

Bullying Prevention Programs in Schools

Bullying has become a critical issue among schools everywhere. As educators attempt to get a handle on the growing concern, many attempt to implement bullying prevention programs on school grounds.  However, the implementation of such programs is often met with a number of obstacles, including student participation, funding, and deciding what’s the right program for your school and students. Yet, as we move toward developing comprehensive bullying prevention practices, there are a few key strategies that we should all keep in mind.

Finding the right program

Creating a program that addresses your school’s unique concerns is of vital importance. The first step in doing so is to conduct a two-tiered assessment process that will guide the development of bullying prevention strategies. The first tier should involve surveys that reveal information about the school’s social climate, while the second should identify flaws in security equipment and procedures. Development of any action plan designed to address bullying should always begin with an assessment. We can’t solve the problem, until we define it.

Student participation

Student participation is critical to the successful implementation of any bullying prevention program. It is important that students feel empowered and engaged in the action planning process and that they share the responsibility for creating environments in which they can learn and thrive. Getting students involved and excited about taking part in a bullying prevention program will ensure that the program works to its full potential and that they can identify and address concerns that are most important to them.

Keeping it a priority

Maintaining a program’s importance after the excitement has settled is a major challenge that schools may face. Periodically updating a program with new ideas and incentives can help keep up the momentum and excitement for both students and educators. Whether a program is structured or unstructured, school leaders can find different ways to keep the program relevant. From creating a poster contest to structuring an assembly focused on bullying, be creative in your efforts to keep students motivated toward bullying prevention.

Creating an open environment

Overcoming the unspoken rule among students of “no snitching” may stop even the most successful bullying prevention program in its tracks. Bullying is a tough issue to face, so it is important to create an open environment where students can express their feelings and concerns in a confidential and comfortable environment. All teachers and administrators should be well educated on the topic of bullying and be prepared to assist students in successfully putting a stop to bullying. Giving students realistic tips and advice is an important step toward bullying prevention. When students feel that a strategy actually works, they are more likely to use that strategy again and again.

For more information on bullying prevention and available resources to support your efforts, sign up today for the FREE Professional Development Webinar for Educators presented by the School Improvement Network; Bullying: Understanding the Problem, Defining Solutions on May 30^th 2012, 3:00pm with Robin Young of the National Crime Prevention Council.  

Click here to register for the FREE webinar: http://www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EA57D783884f

Volunteers in Police Service: Celebrating a Decade of Service

The Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program is pleased to announce that we will celebrate our 10^th anniversary this May!

The VIPS program was started as a part of USA Freedom Corps, initiated by President George W. Bush, to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11^th. With the support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the International Association of Chiefs of Police launched the VIPS program in May of 2002

One core element of the VIPS website, www.policevolunteers.org, is the program database both for individuals looking to volunteer and for volunteer managers looking for new ideas. In its first month of existence, the database contained 74 registered programs in 29 states. Today there are more than 2,250 programs with 252,000 volunteers representing all 50 states and 19 international locations. In the last year, VIPS volunteers contributed more than 2 billion hours of volunteer service.

In recognition of our milestone year, we have set a goal to register 200 new programs during 2012. By offering a more comprehensive database of VIPS programs, we will present a more accurate and complete picture of law enforcement volunteerism and effectively direct potential volunteers to programs that fit their needs. You can help us by reaching out to your local law enforcement agency and encouraging them to register their program on the VIPS website.

Over the past 10 years, the roles volunteers play in law enforcement have expanded significantly. Volunteers support all types of law enforcement work from community events to investigations. Here are just a few examples:

• Pasadena, California, Police Department volunteers assisted more than 800 victims of identity theft in the last year.
• Numerous theft and drug arrests have been made thanks to Rolla, Missouri, Police Department volunteers’ work on tracking pawn tickets and purchases of methamphetamine ingredients.
• A volunteer with the Aurora, Colorado, Police Department has submitted 35 composite sketches to detectives, the first of which led officers to arrest a suspect charged with robbery and kidnapping within two weeks.

Read more about the many innovative ways law enforcement agencies engage volunteers to keep communities safe in Volunteers in Police Service Add Value While Budgets Decrease.

 To learn more about volunteering with law enforcement and to find opportunities in your area, visit www.policevolunteers.org.