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About
the Center
Mission
The
National
Center
on
Rural
Justice
and
Crime
Prevention
seeks
to
stimulate
the
development
of
partnerships
between local
justice
systems
(e.g.,
law
enforcement,
courts,
prosecutors)
and
residents,
organizations,
and
institutions
in
rural
communities and
small
towns
to
prevent
and
reduce
crime
and
violence.
The
Center
focuses
on
research,
education, technical
assistance,
and
information
dissemination,
with
financial
support
from
the
Bureau
of
Justice
Assistance,
U.S.
Department of
Justice.
The Context of Rural Crime
Rural society is changing. Not too long ago, the images
most often associated with rural communities were farming,
traditional families, extended family networks, unlocked
doors, safe streets, a sense of tradition and continuity,
and neighbors who watched out for each other.
Today, rural communities have been affected by economic
and social changes in society as a whole. Better transportation,
telecommunications, increased mobility of families,
and growing urban areas are among the factors that
have changed the character of rural communities. Regardless
of whether main street is bustling or deserted, in
many rural areas social networks have been disrupted,
natural helping systems have lost importance, and the
informal control exerted by community members as a
means of preserving safety has given way to more formal
institutions or services (e.g., police, social services,
etc.).
Although crime rates in rural communities are still
not nearly as high as those in urban areas, in many
rural areas, crime is on the rise.
- Violent
crime in rural communities increased 53% during
the 14-year-period from 1983-1997.
- While
violent crime in cities of 1 million or more people
dropped 6.2% in 1997, violent crime in rural counties
increased 3.1%.
Several
factors influence a community's crime rates.
- Geographic
characteristics (e.g., degree of isolation, size,
proximity to transportation routes)
- Economic
and social climate
- Strength
of key institutions (e.g., schools, faith-based
organizations, families, local government, civic
organizations)
Some
rural areas have become increasingly vulnerable to crime
and violence as residents have either left in search
of work or taken multiple jobs to support themselves.
Others have experienced problems as they have become
more suburban and attracted new residents. Still others,
such as persistently poor communities (that lack resources)
and tourist communities (that attract large numbers of
short-term visitors) may experience greater challenges
in responding to crime and violence.
The Center's Approach to Community Safety
Crime and violence rates are more likely to be lower
in communities defined as "socially cohesive." In these
communities, the informal relationships among residents
tend to reduce or keep crime and violence low. Neighbors
are more likely to watch out for each other and to act
collectively when problems begin to develop. Socially
cohesive communities experience high levels of interaction
between residents, well-defined social networks, and
a sense of trust and reciprocity. Residents in "cohesive" communities
are better able to develop a shared set of values and
norms and to pursue shared objectives.
On the other hand, communities lacking in cohesion tend
to be disorganized. Residents are less likely to feel
safe and are more likely to be withdrawn from each other
and from the social institutions of the community. Social
networking among residents is diminished and the ability
to monitor or control misbehavior and criminal activity
decreases.
Recent strategies for preventing and reducing crime and
violence have underscored the importance of involving
the community as partners with the justice system. The
move to a community-focused approach developed, at least
in part, out of the realization by some local justice
officials that the public was increasingly dissatisfied
with their ability to control, much less prevent, crime
and violence. But, it also developed from the recognition
that strong families and neighborhoods can help to increase
the overall safety and feelings of well-being within
the broader community.
Strategies aimed at strengthening the capacity of neighborhood
residents and community institutions to act collectively
in addressing the underlying causes of crime combined
with community justice initiatives (e.g., community policing,
community courts, arbitration/mediation, etc.) are more
likely to increase the overall safety of the community.
In short, schools, places of worship, businesses, civic
and neighborhood organizations, and families all have
a role in preventing and reducing crime. The local justice
system can serve as a catalyst in involving key community
institutions and organizations ion developing a comprehensive
approach to community safety and well-being.
The Center's Work
The work of the Center focuses on three principal activities:
(1) application of community justice models at six rural
sites (Kingstree, SC, Whitefish, MT, Kalispell, MT, and
three yet to be selected) as a way of exploring strategies
for engaging community members in preventing and reducing
crime and violence; (2) generation and diffusion of knowledge
about the nature and prevalence of rural crime and delinquency;
and (3) dissemination of information and technical assistance
to rural communities nationally on community-building
and community- justice approaches. The Center:
- Tests
strategies for strengthening collaboration between
residents in rural areas and local justice agencies
in developing comprehensive, community-focused
initiatives to enhance community safety.
- Documents
the challenges faced by rural communities and small
towns in ensuring safety.
- Provides
consultation and technical assistance to rural
communities and small towns in identifying and
implementing justice initiatives relevant to their
strengths, needs, and unique characteristics.
- Examines
the diversity and regional aspects of rural communities
and small towns and how these differences might
affect implementing model crime and violence prevention
programs in rural areas.
- Develops
strategies for modifying community justice programs
to "fit" rural communities and small towns.
- Evaluates
initiatives and disseminates knowledge regarding
successful community-justice collaboration in rural
areas.
Technical
Assistance
Rural communities and small towns can access the following
resources from the Center:
- Clearinghouse
of best practices related to engaging rural communities
in justice initiatives and adapting community justice
models
- Website
for rural communities and small towns to provide
easy access to materials and other information
developed by the project (under development)
- Practitioner
focused "tips" on various approaches for enhancing
community safety
- Telephone
and on-site consultation
The
National Center on Rural Justice and Crime Prevention
is located within the Institute
on Family and Neighborhood Life at Clemson University.
The Center is funded, in part, by the Bureau of Justice
Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.
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