Community Policing Essay
I define community policing as an effort for law enforcement to involve the community in improving social capital. Community policing is an important factor in promoting a decrease in crime. Community leaders and its citizens work with police officers to improve neighborhoods through community projects and services. For example, there are neighborhood watch teams, which help patrol the community to improve safety. Law enforcement also has community initiative programs that work with and help at-risk youth. Community policing is more than just answering service calls. Police officers become familiar with the citizens they serve and develop a trust within the community. When the community views police officers as legitimate agents, they are more
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Developing alliances with the community open the door to enhance transparency which also establishes trust. Another area where police are involved in communities around the nation is the Police Athletic League (PAL). According to PAL (n.d.) in 1914 Police, Commissioner Arthur Woods began this movement. He converted vacant lots into playgrounds. The goal of his program was to reduce tensions between police officers and youth as well as provide wholesome play under proper supervision, and it would reduce the temptation for delinquency. The league was recognized in 1936. Through the years, the program has expanded to offer social services as well. In 1949 the Placement Division helped young people find jobs in addition to vocational guidance. As part of President Johnson’s war on crime, the Headstart pre-school was initiated through PAL’s educational program in 1964. In the 70’s and 80’s, we begin to see drug and arts programs starting to flourish through Pal. State-of-art community centers were erected in the 90’s, a $40 million Capital Campaign was launched for the project as well as renovating existing centers. 2000 and present day, PAL enhanced after-school and summer programs that focused on academic achievement and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In 2004, they started Youth Link which focused on young people involved in the juvenile justice system. RISE was launched later to serve 16 to 21-year-old who were released from Riker’s
Developing alliances with the community open the door to enhance transparency which also establishes trust. Another area where police are involved in communities around the nation is the Police Athletic League (PAL). According to PAL (n.d.) in 1914 Police, Commissioner Arthur Woods began this movement. He converted vacant lots into playgrounds. The goal of his program was to reduce tensions between police officers and youth as well as provide wholesome play under proper supervision, and it would reduce the temptation for delinquency. The league was recognized in 1936. Through the years, the program has expanded to offer social services as well. In 1949 the Placement Division helped young people find jobs in addition to vocational guidance. As part of President Johnson’s war on crime, the Headstart pre-school was initiated through PAL’s educational program in 1964. In the 70’s and 80’s, we begin to see drug and arts programs starting to flourish through Pal. State-of-art community centers were erected in the 90’s, a $40 million Capital Campaign was launched for the project as well as renovating existing centers. 2000 and present day, PAL enhanced after-school and summer programs that focused on academic achievement and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In 2004, they started Youth Link which focused on young people involved in the juvenile justice system. RISE was launched later to serve 16 to 21-year-old who were released from Riker’s