One of the ways to fight crime is by preventing it before it even happens. However, it is not possible to prevent crime unless the cause of the crime is known. Once the concerned people have knowledge on the causes of crime, it is easy to take preventive measures. Several programs have been set up for this reason. These programs are meant to serve the society, mainly the youth who are predisposed to crime. Most are established by non-governmental organizations. However, in some cases, government agencies set up such programs in a bid to lower crime rates in a particular area.
One of the objectives of these programs is to break the vicious cycles of crimes in the society. Some of the youth involved in crimes do not do it because they are rebellious or because of poverty. Some do it because that is what they are accustomed to seeing in their day to day life. Another objective is to produce young people who are responsible and useful to the community.
Youths involved in criminal activities are liabilities and a nuisance in the neighborhoods. However, by keeping them away from crime or rehabilitating such individuals, they may turn out to be very useful in the society. They also aim to create a crime-free society. This will make it a good place to dwell and establish businesses. Insecurity discourages people from settling or even conducting business in a particular area.
One such program is called Changing Course. I chose this program because it deals with the day to day challenges of youth predisposed to crime. It aims at preventing crime by the youth. This is by preventing them from joining gangs. This is because gangs are one of the leading factors leading to crimes by the youth. It also creates awareness against the use of alcohol and other drugs among the youths. It helps those young people who have been exposed to violence in their childhood.
It offers counseling for such individuals to ensure that they do not turn violent themselves. Another role it plays is that of mentorship. This program is important in providing a sense of direction for the youth. Some young people are very capable of becoming great and influential people. The only thing that hinders them lacks a person to guide them through it. This mentorship program provides a platform for them to be molded into young professionals.
It is very important to reincorporate individuals who have been set apart in the society due to their unlawful conduct. Having then accepted again in the society is a major step towards their reformation. It discourages them from committing crimes. One of the successes of these programs is the abandoning of crime by several youths and embarking on lawful living. Another achievement is the reincorporation of rejected youths back into the society. These programs have also helped create awareness on the effects of careless living such as drug abuse and alcoholism among the youths.
Though government agencies fund some of these programs, most of them are funded by non-governmental organizations. After speaking to an officer from the program, I realized that crime prevention by way of such helpful programs is much better than punishment of offenders after commission of crimes. It not only keeps the society secure but also empowers the youth. Youth empowerment is one of the most effective ways of crime prevention. This is because the youngest people engage in crimes because they want to fit in or due to poverty.
