The data-driven, Community Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program, formerly the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovations (BCJI) Program, identifies high crime areas that have a direct effect on the quality of life for its residents. Community attachment is vital to developing and maintaining safe neighborhoods and improving the quality of life. Residents involvement plays a major role in improving their community through identifying solutions to the problems on their streets and surrounding area.
Evidence-based strategies are implemented to reduce crime with the purpose of making neighborhoods safer in order for the community to thrive. Examples of strategies include, but not limited to installing surveillance cameras, lighting and cleaning up areas of known “hot spots” that hide criminal activity, i.e. cutting down overgrown brush, removing trash, etc.
In addition, Community Policing is promoted to enhance the relationship of residents and police to become partners in reducing crime by reporting suspicious activity and cooperating when law enforcement are investigating an incident. Police engagement allows communities to be good stewards of their neighborhoods
There is also a particular focus on juvenile offenders in which a Station House Adjustment program was developed and implemented through the Phillipsburg Police Department to reduce the number of repeat juvenile offenders.
Revitalization begins and is sustained through on-going community engagement from, but not limited to, residents, local and state government, businesses, non-profits and the private sector.
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