Prevention Works Blog Feed

Posts from April and May 2009

Beware of the Black Dollar

In recent months, new versions of the infamous Nigerian money and banking scams have come...

Thinking About the Unthinkable

Homeland security is rooted in hometown security. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, once etched vividly in every American's memory, may be receding in the country's collective consciousness, but it is up to all of us to make sure that our country stays safe—and prepared—for any eventuality. Each citizen, civic official, faith leader, and business leader must be confident that his or her community's first responder organization can react effectively to any assault and, more importantly, knows exactly what is expected of him or her if the unthinkable should happen again.

Gunplay

"Curiosity killed the cat." Remember this phrase, because never have four words had graver implications....

The Economy and Crime

As the economy worsens, there is debate about whether it is to blame for the...

The Ultimate Price—and Responsibility

The National Crime Prevention Council mourns the loss of four police officers in the shooting tragedy that unfolded recently in Oakland, CA. Sergeants Mark Dunakin, Erv Romans, Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege were lost in the line of duty defending the safety of the people of Oakland, the safety that all of us, in communities across the country, depend on and, all too often, take for granted. The loss of these officers was the most in one day since the September 11th attacks.

Highlighting Norms Can Reduce Crime

There is a common perception that public service messaging is not as effective as commercial...

Breaking the Code of Silence

While there is still debate over how the recession will continue to impact crime over the next few years, there is little debate about the important role that the community plays in the fight against crime. While communities must take the lead, I continually hear from law enforcement officers that communities are not engaged.

Battling Gangs: A Novel Use of Civil Injunctions

According National District Attorney's Association (NDAA), the United States has 30,000 gangs with 800,000 members whose crimes, tactics, and strategies are getting more sophisticated each day. Communities and local law enforcement agencies are responding with new strategies as well—in this case, the use of civil injunctions to disrupt gang activities.