In the fight against crime, what is the most important element, first the police then the community....?

Question

Or the other way around.............what do you think ?????

Answer 1

It really needs to be the other way around. Think about it: You have certain communities that are made up of law-abiding citizens who generally play by the rules and teach their children to have respect for the law and respect for authority. Not only does this reduce crime, it makes the job of law enforcement officers a lot easier because they have the support of the community and those who are apprehended are much less likely to resist arrest or to be disrespectful/belligerant. On the flipside, you also have communities that are largely made up of criminals, gangsters and drug dealers who have no respect for ANYTHING -- not for the lives or property of other people, not for the law, not for authority, not even for themselves. That attitude can become contagious, and that's how you get a riot in a major town after police officers are acquitted on charges of police brutality because they pulled out the batons on a criminal who resisted arrest (does the name Rodney King ring a bell?)

Answer 2

It is without a doubt the community. Albeit, sometimes the community of those fighting crime can seem like a meager 1 person.

Just rest assured, if one sees a need for change, chances are others do too. If you see Graffitti on the wall, be pro-active, paint over it. You could go a step further and paint a mural.

If one doesn't believe the neighborhood looks good that he/she lives they may decide to start at home: plant some flowers in your yard, lay down new sod, paint your house.

Drugs a problem in your neighborhood? Throw a drug free block party. You can have banners and signs indicating that it is a drug free zone and the neighborhood intends on being drug free.

When like minded people take action against the few that would seek to riddle the neighborhood with crime, they will seek out a community who is not as resistant.

Bottom line, the police exist to enforce rules and regulations, a community of like minded people who intend on keeping the law can persuade someone to do the right thing or disuade someone from moving into their "like" minded neighborhood.

The police are more of a negative (reactive) reinforcement of the law, acting only after a breach has been made. A community can be both proactive and reactive. This places the community at the helm and makes it the most important element.