What is Community Policing?

[stephendare]

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:v-3ttiQWSrgJ:www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/commp.pdf+Community+Policing&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and
the community that identifies and solves community problems. With the
police no longer the sole guardians of law and order, all members of the
community become active allies in the effort to enhance the safety and
quality of neighborhoods. Community policing has far-reaching implica-
tions. The expanded outlook on crime control and prevention, the new em-
phasis on making community members active participants in the process of
problem solving, and the patrol officers’ pivotal role in community policing
require profound changes within the police organization. The neighbor-
hood patrol officer, backed by the police organization, helps community
members mobilize support and resources to solve problems and enhance
their quality of life. Community members voice their concerns, contribute
advice, and take action to address these concerns. Creating a constructive
partnership will require the energy, creativity, understanding, and patience
of all involved.

Reinvigorating communities is essential if we are to deter crime and create
more vital neighborhoods. In some communities, it will take time to break
down barriers of apathy and mistrust so that meaningful partnerships can
be forged. Trust is the value that underlies and links the components of
community partnership and problem solving. A foundation of trust will
allow police to form close relationships with the community that will
produce solid achievements. Without trust between police and citizens,
effective policing is impossible

[macbeth25]

My wife and I lived in San Antonio for about 20 years before coming to Callahan and Florida.  I'd like to suggest a program which has been around in that city for many years and one which has proven very effective.  It's called Cellular On Patrol (COP) and you might compare it to a neighborhood watch on wheels.  To get an idea of how it works, please go to this website: http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/cop3.asp?res=1024&ver=true. 
I know the program works because I was a part of it.  One of my favorite stories is about the time a person working his shift on COP noticed a strange car in his area.  He called it in and the police immediately sent a patrol car.  The police in the car recognized the people in the other car right away.  They were undercover police on a stakeout.  The undercover police were quite vocal in the patrol car's blowing their cover.  Apparently the stakeout was legitimate but the word hadn't gotten to the dispatchers.
I think this is something which should happen in Jacksonville.  You can find just about anything you might want to know on the website above.  Good Luck and May Irish Blessings Be Upon You and Yours.  MAC

[samiam]

A trend that I have noticed is its not the duty of local law enforcement to stop crime but to solve crimes once they have occurred. But if you are an extremely proactive citizen trying to stop crime in your community you are looked at as a vigilante.

[macbeth25]

It seems that a program such as COP could be part of the solution.  Not only can COP members help stop crime by being observant and reporting the unusual event when it happens but also they can help provide information and testimony, as needed, should the crime come to trial.  COP members normally can not be accused of being vigilantes since they do not attempt to stop something from happening.  They are not armed -- at least not with weapons -- but carry cell phones, usually donated by one of the carriers -- and can also carry still or video cameras.  If they use telephoto lenses, they don't even have to get close enough to be seen.  They can also report license plate numbers, provide descriptions of vehicles and sometimes people. One of the most important parts of the program is that the members know their areas and work them.  They might just work at night but could maintain 24-hour surveillance.  The program works in San Antonio -- I can't see any reason it wouldn't work here.

[samiam]

If this philosophy is being adopted then it should be legal for communities to form there own volunteer police force that has arrest authority and carry weapons and there philosophy would be to protect and serve there community.

[Dog Walker]

If this philosophy is being adopted then it should be legal for communities to form there own volunteer police force that has arrest authority and carry weapons and there philosophy would be to protect and serve there community.

A number of countries have this sort of system.  You hear about them on the news as "armed militias."

[samiam]

Back in the day it use to be considered an honor to be in the local militia but now militia is synonyms with domestic terrorism

[NotNow]

Every citizen currently has the right to carry a concealed firearm (with qualification and proper licensing) and to make citizen's arrest in the case of felonies.  You and your neighbors can patrol as you want.  The problem lies in who is responsible for your actions.  That would be YOU.  If you are confident in what you and your neighbors are doing, go for it.  I am on your side.  I believe that active participation either through programs such as macbeth and StephenDare! are describing, or active action such as samiam advocates will be required to solve this problem nationwide.  Citizens shoud get the leeway to act when necessary.  This is the idea behind the "castle doctrine" here in Florida.  Citizens are empowered to protect themselves. 

...of course, a new set of questions arise as well.

[Karl_Pilkington]

A trend that I have noticed is its not the duty of local law enforcement to stop crime but to solve crimes once they have occurred. But if you are an extremely proactive citizen trying to stop crime in your community you are looked at as a vigilante.

as is exactly what happened in Springfield when some residents became fed up with the lack of police response and went out at night to shine a light on what was going on.  They became the target of police and were told to get off the streets.  I guess it was easier for JSO to target the law abiders than it was the law breakers. 

[NotNow]

I am not aware of this event.  Tell me about it.  What exactly does "told to get off the streets" mean?  If they were not breaking the law, they should continue doing what they want.  If some individual Officer is wrongly targeting them, talk to a Sgt. or a Lt., or even the Asst. Chief the next day.  If you are not sure if laws are being broken, then you shouldn't be out there.  But if you are sure of what you are doing....

[NotNow]

Remember that you have no "special right or authority" just because you live in the neighborhood.  If you approach what you believe is a criminal, civilians cannot detain misdemeanor suspects.  And just standing in the street yelling is not an effective strategy.  Residents don't get to decide who walks through their neighborhood.  You can follow someone through your 'hood.  You can talk to them and just let them know why you are out there.  You have to know the rules and play within them.  Welcome to modern Policing!

[samiam]

A possible solution would be satellite police precincts that work directly with a citizen patrol. A portion could have arrest authority and carry weapons if they have prior law enforcement or military experience, we could call them community constables CC's and the rest would report to the police and the CC's.
The city of Mobile Alabama instituted the satellite police precinct portion of this suggestion in down town mobile and dauphin street went went from nothing but a bunch of vacant building to a major entertainment district in less than 2 years.    

[NotNow]

The city will not accept the legal liability of sanctioning such groups IMHO.  The first "honor student/turning his life around" guy you hurt or kill while legally defending yourself would result in lawsuits against JSO and COJ.  There are not enough Officers here to man any satellite stations. Perhaps a state law deliniating a civilian patrol groups rights, authority, responsibility, and training while granting some limited immunity would work.

[samiam]

So here is the problem. It is no longer the responsibility of the police to prevent crime. Civilian patrol groups cant do it do to legal liability. The criminals have rights but the law abiding citizen have none

[NotNow]

Police have a responsibility to prevent crime, but through a combination of professionalization and complexity, costs have risen and numbers of Officers does not meet demand.  What used to be handled by other professions now requires cops due to percieved liability and the victimology of misbehaviour.  (Teachers cant paddle, private businesses cant just kick people out for fear of race/sex/age/whatever discrimination suits).   Policing has become very complicated, and Officers must apply reams of rules to uncontrolled situations almost instantaneously and accuratly.  College degrees and advances studies are required.  The rise of the litigious society results in massive documentation and CYA by law enforcement agencies, further removing Officers from street work.  Officers who meet these standards are higher paid employees, resulting in budgets with reduced numbers of Officers. These fewer Officers are placed everywhere form schools to critical infrastructure. 

On the streets, a rising criminal class that is egged on by popular culture and self serving organizers, ignores education, resists "conforming" for a job, and ends up predictibly in direct confrontation with both Police and citizens.  Honest citizens generally have much to lose in any physical confrontation, and can not afford to lose a job or be arrested over "small time" criminality, so they ignore it or move away from it.  Police face more and more violence as they are emascualted by the legal and political systems.  And your right, the "rights" of criminals are well defined but the rights of honest citizens is not well defined by a "criminal justice" system.  And we have all seemed to have forgottenthat this is OUR society, and that we have the power to reverse the craziness of the last fifty years of "criminal justice" reform. 

So let's let Cops be Cops and give them the authority to use force when it is needed and the benefit of a doubt in application of law.  Let's do the same for honest citizens and spend more time and money on protecting them and not the criminals.   Give citizens even more slack in defending both their lives and their property from criminality.  Offer rehabilitation, but make incarceration "suck" again.  Prisoners don't need cable and gyms.  Go back to prison work concepts and enforce it.