Introducing Celebrate Safe Communities!

A Message From the President

By Alfonso Lenhardt, NCPC President and CEO

Like politics, all crime prevention is local.

We know that crime prevention must have local roots and be supported by the local citizenry if it is to be successful. From Neighborhood Watch to CPTED to school safety programs, if local citizens aren’t behind it, experience has taught us it simply won’t work.

That’s why I’m so excited about our new Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC) initiative. Through this new program, we will embark upon a host of projects to recognize, motivate, inspire, and work with citizens, local jurisdictions, schools, and businesses to strengthen local crime prevention programs and drive down crime. We are delighted to be a partner of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), which has been awarded funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in carrying out this initiative. CSC will kick off Crime Prevention Month in October and support related efforts to build support for crime prevention action and public safety during that month and all through the year.

NSA and NCPC will collaborate to

• Provide planning tips for events in neighborhoods and schools
• Provide educational materials for residents of all ages
• Provide tools to help promote crime prevention in the local news media
• Recognize outstanding local initiatives through an awards program
• Identify and secure corporate and other private partners to help support and conduct CSC activities nationwide

It’s easy to get involved in Celebrate Safe Communities. As of March 15, you’ll be able to visit www.ncpc.org or www.sheriffs.org to learn more about CSC, find help to get started, and register local initiatives. Registered local CSC initiatives will have the opportunity to share their community’s efforts, locate tips to help plan successful local activities, and sign up for updates as promotional tips, tools, and other resources become available.

In addition, NCPC will promote the progress of local crime prevention initiatives to lawmakers and national organizations representing the interests of key local leaders.

These are but a few of the many CSC activities the two organizations will undertake. All of these activities, however, underscore a steadfast commitment to work with the local citizens and leaders who are the key to effective crime prevention. Without the support and leadership of these individuals, progress would be impossible. But our record is one of great inspiration, great cooperation, great partnerships, and great goals achieved. Therefore, I have no doubt that, with your participation, Celebrate Safe Communities will be a resounding success, this year and going forward.