Abstract

In Lansing, Michigan, the development of a Neighborhood Network Center model that co-locates many social services programs with the community police office has shown great promise in reducing crimes. This effective practice shares highlights from that program and is excerpted from the book 350 Tested Strategies to Prevent Crime from the National Crime Prevention Council.

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Issue

Social services delivery is a challenge and requires coordination. Crime is often managed separately from other community problems. By having social service staff and community-based policing staff working together, neighborhood problems can be addressed with an efficient and united effort.

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Action

Research by the National Center for Community Policing resulted in development of a Neighborhood Network Center model. Steps to take when implementing this model include:

• Tailoring services to meet unique community needs
• Gaining support from other community resources, such as neighborhood churches, educational programs, and community-based police
• Ensuring that the community is involved with the operation of the neighborhood center
• Composing memorandums of understandings (MOU's) to help clarify roles and responsibilities among the various agencies
• Building a knowledgeable and caring staff, with concentration on multilingual and culturally competent staff in diverse communities

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Context

In Lansing, Michigan, the Lansing Neighborhood Network Center is co-located with the community policing officers, and recruits nursing students and others to provide health screening, employment services, language interpreters, emergency housing and food assistance, education counseling and recreational opportunities. Staff and neighbors cleared the area of trash, and planted gardens.

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Citation

National Crime Prevention Council. 350 Tested Strategies to Prevent Crime: a Resource for Municipal Agencies and Community Groups. Washington D.C.: National Crime Prevention Council, 1995. pp. 15-16.

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Outcome

The neighborhood is much safer; more residents have jobs and own homes; and community events occur with regularity.

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Evidence

Since its inception in 1990, crime has decreased by 75 percent in the area surrounding the Lansing Neighborhood Network Center.

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Posted On

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For More Information

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Resources

From The Resource Center library:

350 Tested Strategies to Prevent Crime: a Resource for Municipal Agencies and Community Groups

Item number: R0356

Source Documents

Related Practices

• Working collaboratively to reduce juvenile gun crime in Boston
• Creating a community inter-agency disaster organization (CIDO)

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Related sites

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