Abstract

Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, addresses public safety in the campus neighborhood through a service-learning collaboration between criminal justice college students and community police. This effective practice highlights information from the publication, Criminal Justice Learn and Serve Tech Prep Initiative.

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Issue

Individuals employed in downtown Rochester were increasingly susceptible to street crime, due in part to the lack of foot traffic at night after working hours.

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Action

Steps taken to address a growing concern over crime in the college neighborhood included:

• Criminal justice faculty and police officers worked together to plan a community policing program and orient students before they walked the local streets.
• All volunteers receive extensive training and are issued distinctive clothing, a flashlight, and a portable digital radio that has all the frequencies that patrol officers use.
  
• Volunteers who spot criminal activity summon a police officer via radio.
• In addition to foot patrols some patrol sections have bike patrol as well.
• Both faculty and police join to facilitate reflection sessions afterward.
  
• Students recruited minority residents to serve on juries to help create a racial balance, and the Rochester, New York, website offers a description of the program, calendar of training, and an application that can be downloaded.

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Context

The PAC-TAC program (Police and Citizens Together Against Crime), sponsored by Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, enabled criminal justice students to get involved in increasing safety in their campus neighborhood.

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Citation

"Criminal Justice Learn and Serve Tech Prep Initiative." American Association of Community Colleges. 1998 , p. 10.

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Outcome

Student participation in the program increased the community perception of safety in the neighborhood, and also allowed the police department to open a substation in the downtown area, with students providing some of the staffing. The program fostered student relationships with local police, giving the students insight into the police department's role in their community. The students also developed a greater understanding of community needs.

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Evidence

A national corporation with an office located downtown welcomed the students' efforts to make the streets safer. After an increasing number of its employees expressed confidence in staying downtown at night, the corporation provided financial support, encouraged employees to patrol with the students, and is invested in the future of the program. In addition, with the assistance of Monroe Community College student escorts, the Rochester school district and police department created a Safe School Passages Program to ensure elementary students a safe trip to and from school.

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Learn and Serve America

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