Sample Paper on Creation of a Juvenile Crime Prevention Program
The first step I would take in creating a juvenile crime prevention program is surveying the community where the program is to be established. I would utilize several sources of existing information to survey the community. Besides, I would interview people by asking them their belief, understanding, desire, or concern about the juvenile crime to assist me to fill in the missing information. I would examine the community assets to identify the available resources, for example, a library that provides homework assistance, a community-based police ministration, and strong faith communities. I would consider marking both problem areas and assets on the community’s map, and building on the assets available. I would choose a problem to address in fighting juvenile crime by focusing on the most urgent problem or one that has gotten the most publicity, such as drug abuse. Moreover, I would prevent the problem by strengthening a good thing within the community that motivates members of my group and is significant to the community (Farrington, 2016).
The second step is establishing an operational plan. The plan would assist me in identifying specific roles that need to be accomplished, decide on ways of assigning responsibilities, develop interest and enthusiasm for creating the program, and decide on how to utilize resources. Planning would assist me to focus on a goal and build teamwork. For a juvenile crime prevention program, I would mobilize representatives of community organizations, government agencies and the youth who need help. Upon identifying the target group that the program would help, I would highlight specific goals and objectives, select approaches of attaining the goals and objectives, determine target dates and priorities, divide specific jobs and responsibilities among group members, and ensure that the program can be evaluated appropriately (Lansing, 2007).
The third step is lining up resources required to perform the program activities. Such resources include a central location or office, copy equipment, and computers. A juvenile crime prevention program requires volunteers who are interested and committed, materials, and services like food, printing and transportation, money and donations of goods and services, publicity, as well as the support of key adult leaders like teachers.
The fourth step is acting on my plan, which is the most interesting part of the success cycle. The part includes training volunteers to ensure that they understand the goals and objectives of the program. Training for a juvenile crime prevention program is important, because there are right and wrong ways of trying to prevent the crime. If a volunteer was to teach elementary school children how to protect themselves at home alone and gave the wrong advice, it could be harmful or dangerous. To complete such training, I would check with police, counsellors, hospitals, victim services programs, and other local services for appropriate techniques. Possible resources for training include law enforcement officers, victim assistance professionals, trainers from corporations, lawyers, drug abuse prevention experts, adult leaders of youth, advertising agencies, colleges and universities, community volunteer agencies, and youth (Lansing, 2007).
The fifth step is nurturing, monitoring, and evaluating the program. This step is important, because it can influence whether I would enjoy working with volunteers. Besides, the stage can influence the way people would feel about volunteering in general and whether they would want to keep on participating. The step deals with appreciating those who would work on the program with me. Evaluating the program assists in understanding whether it has met its goals. The evaluation answers practical questions of decision-makers and program implementers who want to know whether to continue a program, extend it to other sites, modify it, or close it down (National Crime Prevention Council, & United States of America, 1998). I would desire to prove that my juvenile crime prevention program could do the following:
- Minimize juvenile crime
- Decrease fear of crime
- Be affordable
- Have a long-term impact
- Entice support and resources
- Enable individuals to feel secure and better about being in the community.
As the program progresses and during the time it is completed, I would find a way of checking on its development and find out whether it is attaining the basic goals I set. For example, I would use questions such as:
- Was the crime level reduced in the community?
- Did I reach all the people in the community whom I planned to?
- Did my program reach the elementary school children I purposed to instruct?
- Did they learn what I was trying to teach them?
Several juvenile crime prevention programs have failed because of poor leadership, lack of resources, poor coordination, and unclear goals and objectives. My program would work, because I would be able to provide volunteers with training to develop new skills, create a pleasant environment, and provide clear supervision and direction. Besides, I would gather enough resources by asking for support from local businesses, holding special events to raise money, and talking to officials’ from the community.
Establishing juvenile crime prevention programs is not an easy task. Therefore, individuals and groups that plan to create such programs should plan well and consult experts who have succeeded. Important factors to consider are effective leadership, cooperation with the community, enough resources, and teamwork.
References
Farrington, D. P. (2016). Juvenile delinquency prevention programs. Advancing Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy, 69.
Lansing, M. (2007). Juvenile Crime Prevention Program. Retrieved from: http://library.state.or.us/repository/2009/200901291514244/index.pdf.
National Crime Prevention Council, & United States of America. (1998). Planning a Successful Crime Prevention Project.