New from COPS
Crime Prevention Research Reviews No. 3:
Does Neighborhood Watch Reduce Crime?
The third publication in the Crime Prevention Research Review series, this report
summarizes the findings from all rigorous academic studies evaluating Neighborhood
Watch. The meta-analysis finds that Neighborhood Watch is associated with a
reduction in crime. The analysis is based on very few studies due to the lack of
randomized experiments in evaluating Neighborhood Watch. Policy implications
include recommending more experimental design evaluations of Neighborhood Watch
and encouraging police to utilize programs like Neighborhood Watch that work best
in their local area.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=460.
Promoting Cooperative Strategies to Reduce Racial Profiling
This evaluation is an examination of the successes and challenges of the COPS-
funded Promoting Cooperative Strategies to Reduce Racial Profiling program. As the
federal leader in police integrity, this document will further the COPS Office success
in helping law enforcement agencies continue to provide a high level of public safety
while respecting the rights of all individuals they serve.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=468.
Evaluation of a Pilot Community Policing Program:
The Pasadena Police-Community Mediation
and Dialog
This purpose of this document is to provide practitioners with information on the
Police-Community Mediation and Dialog Program in Pasadena, California—a diverse
city of 133,000 residents adjacent to Los Angeles. This is an innovative effort to
overcome frayed relationships between the Pasadena police and the city's African-
American and Latino populations using concepts of alternative dispute resolution
techniques—mediation and dialog—in community forums facilitated by mediators. As
the federal leader in police integrity, this document will further the COPS Office
success in helping law enforcement agencies continue to provide a high level of
public safety while respecting the rights of all individuals they serve.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=467.
POP Guide – Abandoned Vehicles
This guide begins by describing the problem of abandoned vehicles and reviewing
factors that increase its risks. It then identifies a series of questions to help you
analyze your local abandoned-vehicle problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the
problem, and what is known about them from evaluative research and police
practice.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=469.
POP Guide – Bicycle Theft
This guide addresses bicycle theft, beginning by describing the problem and
reviewing the factors that contribute to it. It then identifies a series of questions to
help you analyze your local bicycle theft problem. Finally, it reviews responses to
bicycle theft and describes the findings of evaluative research and operational
policing.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=470.
POP Guide – Spectator Violence in Stadiums
There are over 360 stadiums and arenas in the U.S., and while some share similar
features, each is unique. Policing crowds in stadiums is a difficult task as police are often
forced to balance the interests of many different parties (e.g., performers who want
audience participation, owners and vendors who wish to generate profits). This guide
addresses the problem of spectator violence in stadiums and other arena-type settings. It
begins with a discussion of the factors that contribute to such incidents. It then presents a
list of questions to help local law enforcement analyze problems of spectator violence in
their jurisdiction. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem and what is known about
them from evaluative research and police practice.
www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=466.