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Issues in Criminal Justice (JF)
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By Kathryn Wiley|Published Date: March 08, 2010
Philadelphia police say crime is down in many rough areas, thanks in part to a network of foot patrols that were put in place in the most dangerous places last year, according to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
After a Temple University study identified 60 hot spots as the city's highest-volume crime areas, police used the analysis to assign 200 officers to foot patrols across the city. That number has changed as captains have shifted the patrols depending on each district's needs and the number of officers available at a given time.
Temple's study, which covered a three-month span, showed a 22 percent drop in crime in areas covered by the foot patrols. Arrests were up 13 percent.
As in other major cities, crime has been on a decline in Philadelphia. In 2009, violent crime was down in all but three districts and had dropped 7 percent citywide over two years. Homicide was down 23 percent and aggravated assault down 4 percent.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey believes the foot beats—six- to 10-block areas instead of the traditional 20 blocks—are a crucial piece of keeping crime on the downswing.
“Foot patrol is one of those ideas that, in some people’s minds is a feel-good thing,” he said. "But if it’s sustained, and if it’s done intelligently, it can be effective. We set out to show that.”
Some criminologists downplay the effectiveness of foot patrols, which can be seen, especially by officers, as preventive and not very exciting. On a typical day, an officer may return a truant teenager to school, break up loiterers or stop a car with expired tags. Officers cover the same territory day after day so they can get to know people on the beat, hoping those people will pass on information when crimes occur.
To read the article, click here.
Justice Fellowship believes that policing should employ partnerships to create safer communities. Because personal relationships with community members can be an effective deterrent to crime, police should walk the same beat regularly and educate residents on crime prevention. Together, residents and police can promote community-based solutions, such as neighborhood watches and social activities.
As a result, residents grow to trust the police and get engaged in their work, decreasing the need for the use of force. Police officers can also serve as an intermediary to community organizations. As a result of information sharing, organizations will become more accessible and officers can respond to the needs of the community.
For more ideas on solutions to lower crime and improve the criminal justice system, visit the Justice Fellowship Home page and click onthe "Key Issues" button for a list of topics.
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