In the 21st century, the entire world has grown to be an arena of criminal activities. The community we live in has become too violent, and in extreme occasions, criminals have absolutely controlled the streets. Arguably, crime and criminal activities affect the community negatively in various aspects, which include economic, social and political. Hence, it is crucial to reestablish the law enforcing agencies and develop effective models and strategies to control and prevent crime. Community policing is one of the effective strategy used in most cities today. In this case, it is based on community-police coordination; the police and community work hand in hand in preventing crime and reporting criminals. As a matter of fact, community policing is effective in preventing crime.
Undeniably, there is increasing consensus in the police society that community policing is very effective strategy in pre venting and controlling criminal activities in a residential neighborhood. It is effective because since its implementation, there is a significant improvement of criminal activities in the streets (Palmiotto, 2011). In every society, crime begins within the neighborhoods; hence, community policing decentralizes its powers to people. This will increase interaction between police officers and community residents. In most cases, the people in the neighborhoods have some information on characters and behaviors of people in the community (Palmiotto, 2011).
In the past, community residents had a negative perception of the police. In fact, the police officers were seen to be harassing and arresting innocent people in the streets. But, introduction of community policing developed trust between residents and police as well as changing the perception of people. Therefore, introduction of community policing made individual feel part of stakeholders in implementing justice (Mirsky, 2009). Many police chiefs assert that, community policing has tremendously reduced crime rates. This shows the effectiveness of community policing. They claim that community policing has brought some sanity and order in the neighborhoods and streets. In the past, the gangs had converted the streets into drug-markets, but currently the streets have become more safer. The policy of Zero tolerance, dos not entertain even the simplest crime, making people responsible (Palmiotto, 2011).
Foot patrols made by police officers boost the communication between the police and public. As a matter of fact, community policing is effective because it incorporates the public in decision making. Perhaps, police are not the only people who have the custody to maintain order and law in society. The community is part of enhancing the maintenance of law and order in society. Conversably, the effectiveness of community policing is mainly focused in safety, trust, interaction and confidence between the public and police in fighting crime (Palmiotto, 2011).
Moreover, community policing in the contemporary society is effective as it adheres to social disorder and crime, which is achieved through interaction of police and the public (Siegel, 2005). The services achieved through community policing include problem solving, crime prevention, law enforcement, as well as partnership. Therefore, community policing is effective because it strengthens the power of the police in maintaining order and law in the neighborhood (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012).
Additionally, community policing is effective due to its main objective. It focuses in arresting many criminals today with petty or deadly offences, with the help of the public. The reasoning behind this strategy is that it has a long-term effect, arresting many pretty criminals today, will automatically reduce the level of hardcore criminals in future. Based on community analysis, community policing will indirectly incorporate community beliefs, norms as well as values (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012). This will establish a differential policing system, which will add more tactics to police across the neighborhoods. Community policing sets their priorities using community demands and opinions. Despite its weakness, community policing has tremendously demonstrated to be efficient in reducing crime (Mirsky, 2009).
References
Kappeler, V & Gaines. (2012). Community Policing: A Contemporary Perspective. London: Anderson Press
Mirsky, I. (2009). Community Oriented Policing. Internet Journal of Criminology.
http://www.internetjournalofcriminology.com/Mirsky_Community_Oriented_Policing.pdf
Palmiotto, M. (2011). Community Policing: A Police-Citizen Partnership. New York: Routledge
Palmiotto, M, (2011). Community Policing: A Police-Citizen Partnership. London: Springer.
Siegel, L. (2005). Criminology. New York: Wiley
