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.

Engaging with Law Enforcement through Citizen Police Academies

A central theme of Celebrate Safe Communities is to encourage local people to work together with local law enforcement to address local problems. An important step in that process is to learn more about the day to day work of your law enforcement agency. One way to gain a better understanding of your law enforcement agency and build relationships with local officers is to attend a Citizen Police Academy.

Citizen Academies are offered by both police departments and sheriff’s offices. They range in length from a week to several months and cover the entire spectrum of law enforcement work. Themes and topics vary by agency, but many courses feature hands-on activities like trying on SWAT gear, meeting dogs from K-9 units, dusting for fingerprints, and much more. Aside from learning the ins and outs of this exciting field, participants also learn important lessons about how to keep their families safe through simple crime prevention strategies.

Some law enforcement agencies offer citizen academies targeted to specific community groups. There are Teen Police Academies and Senior Police Academies that are tailored to each age group’s interests and concerns. There are also Citizen Academies for Hispanic, Hmong, and other immigrant groups that offer language interpretation and culturally specific public safety information.

Above all, Citizen Academies teach participants about public safety issues in their communities, what law enforcement is doing to solve those issues, and how community members can help. There are many ways to continue supporting your police department or sheriff’s office after completing a Citizen Academy course. Ongoing volunteer activities may include Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Police Academy Alumni Associations, and Volunteers in Police Service Programs.

You can learn more about Citizen Police Academies and other law enforcement volunteer opportunities on the Volunteers in Police Service website – www.policevolunteers.org.

Gang Intervention and Prevention 101 for Police

I have been fortunate to conduct gang training throughout the United States on a continuous basis since 1992. This includes a Basic Gangs course and an Advanced Gang Investigations course. But I seem to fool quite a few people when throughout the course of the training, which lasts anywhere from two to five days, I talk about what you can do to help gang members who are calling out for help.

Law enforcement has the unique ability to gauge human beings in a nanosecond. This special skill works in many phases for police officers, deputy sheriffs, state police, correctional officers, and all facets of the criminal justice spectrum. But this skill set is not always put to use, because, “Why would we want to help gang members?” Gang members are the scourge of society; they hate police. That is often true, but there are many who join gangs who desperately want out, and the one person they see more than anyone other than their own gang members, is a police officer.

Why do I feel passionately about helping? It is our job! Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, in the late 1950s to middle 1960s was no picnic. I grew up with and around gang members. Many were my friends, and many were my enemies. I grew up disliking police. In fact when the Chicago Police Department officers decided to run us off street corners, they would deposit me at home and smile when they delivered me to my father; a fate worse than death!

In 1963 I got into a fight with James Alexander, who was a Blackstone Ranger. I knew James well, and because of my reputation for fighting, he decided to pull out a knife. I took the knife from him and tried to stab him and missed, the knife sticking in the ground. When the neighbors pulled me off him, the police came to my house. Two Chicago Police youth officers, Jackie Thomas and Charles Inge challenged me to come to the Hyde Park YMCA. I didn’t know why until my father took me, and I saw they were black belts in Judo. My life changed. Several things were learned from meeting them. They made me a better Judo player and person; secondly, I learned police officers are really human beings. Thirdly, I majored in Police Science (Criminal Justice today), and began my law enforcement career in 1969, because I wanted to be like them; I wanted to give back.

Throughout my career I have tried to give back. I have taken gang members into my Judo clubs in Chicago (IL) and Prince George’s County (MD). I have coached kids who joined my baseball teams, and told them, “It’s either the bandanna or the baseball.” Most chose the baseball. I have and still mentor former gang members. But this is not about me. It’s about them.

Criminal justice professionals have an obligation to serve and protect, which includes reaching out if the opportunity presents itself. Most gang members lack “life skills,” which need to be given to them. Leadership skills are something that criminal justice professionals possess, but going that extra mile and turning those qualities into a positive outcome for a gang member or at-risk youth is awesome!

When we talk about gang prevention, the first topic is violence. I have always felt strongly about community oriented policing and exercising community building. The community needs to see police officers outside their cruisers; they need to see police officers talk and feel comfortable within their own environment. Police explorer programs are a great conduit to show the youth of America how police departments work and how police officers tick. In the 1990s, I helped launch the police explorer program in Prince George’s County (MD) with Captain W. Grady Baker. Because of the dedication of numerous officers, many youth who would have joined gangs, gone to jail, or been killed are now police officers.

There are so many ways we can help. Many criminal justice professionals were and remain athletes. Take your skills and teach or coach. Many are parents; take your skills as a parent and show you care.

This is not about saving the world, but William Bratton, former Chief LAPD said, “You can’t always arrest your way out of a gang!”

Tony Avendorph retired in 2009 after 40 years in law enforcement, serving with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Los Angeles (CA) County Sheriff's Department, and Prince George's County Police Department (MD). Tony is the President of Tony Avendorph Associates, LLC.

Tony Avendorph, President

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

Normally!

Normally, I would be writing on a crime prevention issue that would affect a large number of people, but today I’m writing about just one individual or a small group of individuals that make a huge difference. The people I’m talking about today are the Crime Prevention Officers or Crime Prevention Practitioners who work within your communities. They could be police officers, security officers or ordinary people who volunteer their time and to make a difference in the neighborhoods in which the live. For whatever reason they’ve become involved and they are the back bone of crime prevention all over the country. Speaking from experience, when I was a young patrolman, my Police Chief asked me to handle a neighborhood meeting. I told him “sure” but asked “what would I do.”  He said that you could just listen and listen I did. First it was the person having a problem with kids cutting through his property and another person was complaining about excessive noise coming from a nearby garage at all hours of the night. This started my lifelong adventure into crime prevention. I worked on the issues that were raised and then started a small neighborhood group, an early form of Neighborhood Watch. Back then there wasn’t any training on crime prevention and you had to fly by the seat of your pants. This was in the early 80’s about the same time the National Crime Prevention Council was formed and really put a face on crime prevention. Thirty years later and the rest is history. Recently the National Crime Prevention Association (NCPA) launched a new program just for all of these hard working individuals called the National Crime Prevention Specialist certification. Finally, a national certification program to recognize the training, education and hard work of a select few experts. No more just being a crime prevention person, now a program that shows everyone that we’re Certified Professionals in Crime Prevention. I would like to thank the NCPA and NCPC for developing this program because it gives long overdue recognition to an already valuable profession specialization.         

 

The relationship between 8th grade algebra and a life of crime or victimization

At a recent criminal justice conference, during a panel called “Communities at Risk,” one panelist said the indicator of how your life may proceed depends on how you did in 8th grade algebra. That got me thinking; what is the relationship between 8th grade algebra and a life of crime or victimization?

As usually happens when I encounter algebra, I was left with more questions than answers. But let me take a run at it.  Algebra is a discipline and a whole body of study that many never master, yet many apply themselves to it. More than once has an algebra student challenged a teacher with the statement, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” It seems esoteric. What is the practical application?  It is an area of study where, for some, the easiest thing to do would be to throw up one’s hands and say, “It’s not for me,” and give up and move onto something easier or more fun.  It takes discipline.  It requires a “stick-to-it-tiveness” that many in our instant gratification world reject as too much trouble.

Maybe, if I’m that 8th grader, I don’t have someone at home who can tutor me, or at least encourage me to give it my best effort. If the messages I get at home and in the community second my adolescent thoughts on algebra, it is an easy path to forego it. And if I don’t pass it, maybe I’m held back and begin that downward spiral of underachievement.

But maybe, even more critical, does my school district even offer 8th grade algebra and are there qualified, excellent, and committed teachers to assist me? And hugely significant, what are the expectations my community and my family have for me?

Many profiles of young and old men in prison include a failure to do well academically.  The predominant reading level of those in prison is usually a low elementary grade level. 
But how does that relate to crime? If at the 8th grade I take the easier path on math, maybe it’s just a short hop and a skip to take a shortcut on a lot of other (important) things— other schoolwork, other responsibilities, law abiding, authority respecting.

“The indicator of how your life may proceed depends on how you did in 8th grade algebra.”  As I said, the speaker’s statement left me with a lot of intriguing questions. Got any answers? Post them below and show all work.

To Prevent is to Serve . . . or Vice Versa

Let’s face it, whether you’re overjoyed or absolutely miserable, summer is out and school is back in. One thing that is absolutely certain, is that at the start of every school year, you will receive an abundance of information regarding rules, procedures, issues, and of course, how to stay safe.  It’s a beneficial and common practice to provide students with information about issues they may face throughout the year such as bullying, dating violence, or harassment. But the real question is, once they receive this information, what are they going to do with it?

Service-learning for crime prevention is a hands-on approach that integrates knowledge and skill-building with community service experiences.  As students move through the year and gain valuable information about crime prevention topics, it is important to also teach them the skills needed to address local community problems. Challenging students to work together to set goals, plan, and execute a project will develop not only their self-esteem, but their feelings of connection to the larger community.  Some examples of service-learning projects include:

• Create posters or palm cards with safety tips to hand out at relevant school events
• Work with seniors at a local nursing home
• Create a quilt with students’ signatures in memory of lives lost to violence or drugs and alcohol
• Restore school-pride and host a clean-up day

As we continue to educate our youth on crime-related issues, it is important that we also challenge them to take an active role in educating others and being a part of the solution. To learn more about NCPC’s service-learning based curriculum, Community Works, click here.

Is there Life Without Facebook?

To Facebook or not to Facebook? That seems to be the question these days. Whether or not you are on Facebook, it’s all we hear about whenever we turn on the TV, radio, or browse the Internet. Almost daily when I’m watching the news or reading the paper, I hear something new about Facebook privacy changes or people threatening to leave Facebook because of lack of privacy. So again I ask, to Facebook or not to Facebook?

I personally have chosen “not to Facebook.” Of course, it was not always that way. I still remember the good old days when Facebook first emerged. Back when Facebook was only for college students, and it was like an exclusive online club. Nowadays everyone from my mother to my grandmother is addicted to Facebook. Needless to say, I like the other millions out there who live and breathe Facebook, found myself constantly on it, checking status updates, browsing through pictures, writing on walls.

So why did I give up Facebook? It became too much to worry about. I loved how Facebook helped me keep in touch with friends from high school, college, and old coworkers, but having to worry about who saw what, or what the new privacy changes were just became too much of a hassle. It’s nice knowing that I don’t have to worry about Facebook anymore.

Now I’m not telling you to quit cold turkey and get rid of your Facebook profile like I did, it is a great way to keep in touch with friends and colleagues or to kill time when you’re bored, but do be aware of the risks of having a social networking profile. Here are a few reminders of how to keep you Facebooking safely:

• Read through the privacy options carefully, and make sure you thoroughly understand your rights.
• Set your profile to private so only the people you want to see your profile can.
• Only friend people you actually know—if they’re not your friend in real life, why would they be your Facebook friend?
• Be aware that whatever you post online may never truly go away, so be mindful about what you share online.
• Keep in mind that whatever private information you post is there for people to see. Think twice about posting things like your address, phone number, or other personal information you don’t want everyone to know.

For more Internet safety tips, visit http://www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety

Tis the Season – Be Aware and Be Safe

The holidays are now upon us. This is the time of season where families often gather together, people are out and about shopping for gifts, the malls and grocery stores are packed, and the excitement swells. This is also the time of year when thieves try to take advantage and look for opportunities to strike and make your holidays miserable. I’ve been a victim in the past. It was as quick as someone running past me in the mall and snatching my packages out of my hands that I just purchased.

Now more than ever is the time to be conscious of your surroundings and protective of your wares. Whether you are traveling out of town, just out for the evening, or shopping by yourself or with children, below are a few precautions to help make your holidays a safer one.

If you are traveling:

• Put an automatic timer on your lights
• Ask a neighbor to check up on your home
• Don’t forget to have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped

If you are out of the house:

• Turn on lights and music or the TV so it looks as if someone is home
• Be sure that your doors and windows are locked
• Don’t display your gifts where they can be seen from the outside
• If you plan to have packages delivered to your home, make sure you are home to accept them. If not, as a neighbor or ask that the package be sent to the nearest post office

If you are shopping:

• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you
• Park in a well-lighted space
• Be sure to lock your car, close windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible
• Don’t overburden yourself with packages
• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Carry a purse close to your body in the front. If you are carrying a wallet, place it in an inside coat or front pants pocket
• If shopping with kids, have a plan in case you get separated. For the older children, have a central meeting spot designated. For the younger children teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated. Be sure they know your name (not just mommy and daddy), cell phone number, and their address. Go over the dangers of strangers with them so they know who not to talk to or follow
• Check receipts to see whether your full credit card number appears. If a receipt has your full number on it, take a pen and thoroughly scratch it out
• Double check that you have your credit cards and check book after you pay for your items

By following these tips, you can reduce your stress during the busy holiday season and be safe at the same time. Whatever holiday you celebrate, make it a safe one.

Happy Holidays!

Crime Response or Crime Prevention?

It has been more than 27 years since Dr. George Kelling co-authored (with James Q. Wilson) the groundbreaking crime prevention article "Broken Windows" in The Atlantic Monthly.

Simply stated the “Broken Windows” theory of crime prevention says fix the small problems, don’t ignore them, and the big problems will take care of themselves. When the window of a school or other building is broken through vandalism, unless that window is repaired right away it will spawn more vandalism in a downward spiral that can impact whole communities. This theory is often behind the so-called “zero tolerance” of petty crimes and “quality-of-life” crackdowns by political and law enforcement leaders in communities large and small.

In a recent speech, Dr. Kelling elaborated on current crime prevention measures and practices. For example, he cited the use of police in patrol cars rather than “walking a beat” as a practice that does a great job of responding to crime, but a less effective one of preventing the next crime. He also points out the differences in police response and resource application in a shooting that leaves a victim dead as opposed to one where a victim survives. In this example, the homicide case may receive the resources of 3 or 4 investigators, whereas a shooting where the victim survives receives, perhaps, 1 investigator. He says this underscores a reactive policy rather than a crime prevention policy. A shooting survivor may be the beneficiary of a skilled surgeon, a quick responding EMT, or the lousy aim of the shooter. A shooting that does no harm may get a report filed, but no investigation. Dr. Kelling holds that each of these incidents has similar weight in the crime prevention hierarchy, but receives inequitable attention from the police. He states that much of current police protocol is devoted to solving the case, not preventing the next crime.

One jurisdiction (Maryland) arrests the victims of shootings if they were 1) on parole or probation at the time of the shooting, and 2) can be shown to have been involved in criminal conduct (carrying drugs, possessing a handgun, committing a robbery) at the time of their shooting. The goal of this policy is to prevent future crimes and retaliatory shootings.

Is the “Broken Windows” theory showing its age or is it an effective modern tool for crime prevention? Post a comment below to be heard.