Ask anyone what they think the core responsibilities of government are. Some will say maintaining roads. Others maybe would say parks, and other community amenities. It would be hard to guess that anyone would not state that providing for the safety and welfare of the community is not one of those responsibilities. While not often, some view the police department and civilian government as separate entities. They see the negative events that happen with police through social media, newspapers, TV, etc., and expect sweeping changes to the police department. What people sometimes fail to understand is how everything in connect to safety and security.
The police department is not a stand-alone entity. Everything from public works to neighborhood watch, to community groups plays a part in this goal. The more all parties are able to understand this, the better it is for best practices and cooperation to integrate. This first major component is for all parties to understand police department funding. People understand that government departments receive their funds from the local governments, i.e. city/county, general funds. Unless one enjoys looking at spreadsheets, or other data, most people are unaware of how much a police department’s budget and fluctuate. When times are good, the police department can experience the ability to use one time funds to address issues such as new equipment, or public outreach. Depending on how cities receive funds, an increase, or decrease, in property values can also have an effect on departments. Does the department need to lay off officers, or put off buying needed equipment? Crime rates do have a correlation with property values. While not exclusive, the higher the crime rate in an area the lower the property values.
There are other variables that effect property value, such as performance off schools, zoning, or vacant buildings that also play a part. NGO’s and other community groups can help my making sure that zoning code is created to encourage vibrant neighborhoods, and that code enforcement has the tools to make changes when needed. Small code problems can lead to bigger issues later on. Another way that community organizations can help is by engaging in community self-help. This can include helping people with general yard work, to meet code requirements, to community watches. Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the City of Sequim, WA to host an event to help with community needs. The Habitat for Humanity website states, “In partnership with the City of Sequim, Rally in the Alley is part of Habitat Clallam's Neighborhood Revitalization program. Dumpsters are set up in specific areas within city limits so the residents of that neighborhood can discard of trash and yard waste for free!” (Habitat for Humanity, 1).
These types of community partnership can help to address issues that lead to crime which can free up law enforcement officers to focus on other area of needs. City can also take an active step in making sure that they have a workable building code that can address issues such “broken window” issues that can cause a neighborhood to become less livable. Violent crimes also impose large costs on communities through lower property values, higher insurance premiums, and reduced investment in high-crime areas. In addition, violent crimes impose significant costs on taxpayers, who bear the financial burden of maintaining the police personnel and operations, courts, jails, and prisons directed toward these crimes and their perpetrators (Shapiro, 1).Local organizations are able to work with local government and law enforcement to not only get needed information to law enforcement but to educate the community of the roles and expectations of the police department. Jan Terpstra, in his paper Police, Local Government and Citizens as Participants in Local Security Networks states: One of the core elements of these changes is that the prevention and control of crime and insecurity are no longer regarded as the sole responsibility of the police.
Other agencies, both public and private, are seen as being responsible for these tasks. As a result, especially at the local level, there has been a growth in the number of multi-agency networks in which the police, local government, (groups of) citizens and other public and private organizations are the partners. These organizations, and individuals, can lend a hand many different ways. These include such things as: volunteering, serving on advisory boards, filing complaints, forming neighborhood watches, attending meetings and getting everyone involved. Volunteering can help out the police department in many ways. They can perform some of the admin tasks that police spend time on when they could use that time on patrol. Serving on advisory boards can help to direct changes that effect communities. The boards work closely with city councils, and can bring about changes in policy and directive that can improve livability and police/public interactions. Neighborhood watches promote safety and are able to assist the police in what the issues are in the community making the police more efficient in their patrols. Getting everyone involve improves the criminal justice system, but starting with kids increases that bond. Getting kids to engage with law enforcement shows kids the benefits of healthy police/public relationships.
Programs such as police explorers or youth citizen police academies can teach youth about collaborating with law enforcement. It is important to understand that a health public collaboration with law enforcement not only allows for a more productive and efficient police department, but allows the citizens of the community to know they have a voice in helping to address issues that affect everyone. Knowing how departments are funded, and how revenue can be affected by some conditions, can let people be proactive in some areas. Making sure that individuals actively participate is another way to bring about positive changes. In the end, the people who live in the community know what is really going on, and by partnering with law enforcement it makes for a livable community for everyone. Works Cited “Home.” Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, 2019, proof-companion- habitatclallam.presencehost.net/event/2019/09/28/rally-in-the- alley/259253. Shapiro, Robert J., and Kevin A. Hassett. “The Economic Benefits of Reducing Violent Crime.” Center for American Progress, 2012 www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2012/06/19/11755/the-economic-benefits-of-reducing-violent-crime/. Terpstra, Jan. Police, Local Government and Citizens as Participants in Local Safety Networks. 2004, www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/Mesko/207978.pdf.
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