Crime Prevention


Crime Prevention
BSA Supply No. 35880

Preventing crime, which can be as simple as reducing the opportuntities for crime to occur, is far less costly than apprehending and bringing legal action against those who break the law and it helps save people from the anguish of being victims.

Requirements

  1. Discuss the role and value of laws in society with regard to crime and crime prevention. Include in your discussion the definitions of "crime" and "crime prevention."
  2. Prepare a notebook of newspaper and other clippings that address crime and crime prevention efforts in your community.
  3. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    1. The role of citizens, including youth, in crime prevention.
    2. Gangs and their impact on the community.
    3. When and how to report a crime.
  4. After doing EACH of the following, discuss with your counselor what you have learned.
    1. Inspect your neighborhood for opportunities that may lead to crime. Learn how to do a crime prevention survey.
    2. Using the checklist in this pamphlet, conduct a security survey of your home and discuss the results with your family.
  5. Teach your family or patrol members how to protect themselves from crime at home, at school, in your community, and while traveling.
  6. Help raise awareness about one school safety issue facing students by doing ONE of the following:
    1. Create a poster for display on a school bulletin board.
    2. With permission from school officials, create a pagelong public service announcement that could be read over the public address system at school or posted on the school's Web site.
    3. Make a presentation to a group such as a Cub Scout den that addresses the issue.
  7. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Assist in the planning and organization of a crime prevention program in your community such as Neighborhood Watch, Community Watch, or Crime Stoppers. Explain how this program can benefit your neighborhood.
    2. With your parent's and counselor's approval, visit a jail or detention facility or a criminal court hearing. Discuss your experience with your counselor.
  8. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    1. How drug abuse awareness programs such as "Drugs: A Deadly Game" help prevent crime.
    2. Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes called "gateway drugs" and how gateway drugs can lead to the use of other drugs.
    3. Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help.
    4. How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes.
    5. How to recognize child abuse.
    6. The three R's of Youth Protection.
  9. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    1. The role of a sheriff's or police department in crime prevention.
    2. The purpose and operation of agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel prevent crime, and how those agencies function during emergency situations.
    3. Explain the role private security plays in crime prevention.
    4. Choose a career in the crime prevention or security industry that interests you. Describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Fingerprinting, Fire Safety, Law, and Safety merit badge pamphlets

Books

  • Davidson, Tom, et al. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Security. Alpha Books, 2001.
  • DeBecker, Gavin. Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane). Dell, 2000.
  • Giggans, Patricia Occhiuzzo, and Barrie Levy. 50 Ways to a Safer World: Everyday Actions You Can Take to Prevent Violence in Neighborhoods, Schools, and Communities. Seal Press, 1997.
  • Hammer, Carl. Home Security: How to Select Reliable Locks and Alarms for Your Home, Office, or Car. Paladin Press, 2001.
  • Kraizer, Sherryll. The Safe Child Book: A Commonsense Approach to Protecting Children and Teaching Children to Protect Themselves. Fireside, 1996.
  • Mann, Stephanie, et al. Safe Homes, Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime Where You Live. Nole Press, 1993.
  • Rawls, Neal, and Sue Kovach. Be Alert, Be Aware, Have a Plan: The Complete Guide to Personal Security. The Lyons Press, 2002.
  • Sherman, Josepha. Internet Safety. Franklin Watts, 2003.

Organizations and Web Sites

Bureau of Justice Assistance
U.S. Department of Justice
810 Seventh St. NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20531
Telephone: 202-616-6500
Web site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
International CPTED Association
Web site: http://www.cpted.net

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Charles B. Wang International Children's Building
699 Prince St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-3175
Telephone: 703-274-3900
Toll-free hotline: 800-843-5678
Web site: http://www.missingkids.com

National Child Identification Program
P.O. Box 560606
Dallas, TX 75356-0606
Telephone: 214-630-5895
Toll-free telephone: 888-55-IDKIT
Web site: http://www.childidprogram.com

National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse
332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: 312-663-3520
Web site: http://www.childabuse.org

National Crime Prevention Council
1000 Connecticut Ave. NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-466-6272
Web site: http://www.ncpc.org

National McGruff House Network
66 E. Cleveland Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Telephone: 801-486-8691
Web site: http://www.mcgruff.org

National School Safety Center
141 Duesenberg Drive, Suite 11
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Telephone: 805-373-9977
Web site: http://www.nssc1.org

National Sheriffs' Association
Crime Prevention/Triad
1450 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-3490
Telephone: 703-836-7827
Web site: http://www.sheriffs.org

Youth Crime Watch of America
9200 South Dadeland Blvd., Suite 417
Miami, FL 33156
Telephone: 305-670-2409
Web site: http://www.ycwa.org