How to Measure the Value of Crime Prevention Programs

Evaluating crime prevention programs is a lengthy yet necessary process.

Evaluation of a crime prevention program, either a youth center program or a neighborhood watch, requires much preparation and funding. According to the Community Crime Prevention Guide website, the final evaluation report should be in writing. This increases accountability to the foundation that funded your evaluation project. If you satisfy your grant-makers, it will increase the likelihood of funding future evaluations. For this reason, it is not only a good idea to record the results but also the processes by which you obtained them.

Instructions

1. Research your community's local website to see what similar crime prevention efforts are already in force. According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, such research will prevent confusion about which program is responsible for improvement in the crime rate.

2. Count the cost of the venture. Then seek grant-makers such as foundations that are willing to fund your efforts. The National Institute of Justice is one such program.

3. Write out a plan for the entire process. According to the Crime Prevention Guide, you should clearly identify the goals and objectives of your evaluation project. Describe the project's key activities, as well as the anticipated outcomes or results. Identify the resources you will use to conduct your evaluation. Specify how you will organize, collect and analyze the data.

4. Conduct surveys in your community of interest. Print out survey sheets. Mail them out or go door to door. Ask the community members if they feel that the crime rate has dropped due to the program under evaluation.

5. Calculate the positive and the negative responses. Prepare a report based on your research of crime- rate numbers before and after inception of the program.

Tips & Warnings

• Note external factors that might affect your results. According to the Bloomingdale (Indiana) Police website, such variables may include seasonal fluctuations in population, school districting/redistricting, or voting precinct structure.

• According to the Community Crime Prevention Guide, it's best to involve your volunteers and staff in the planning process. Ask for their input regarding how best to carry out the evaluation. They are the ones who will be doing the actual work of distributing and collecting the surveys.

References

• Community Crime Prevention Guide: How to Evaluate
• Bureau of Justice Assistance: Planning to Evaluate a Crime Prevention Program? What Are Some Challenges?
• Bloomington Police Department: Evaluating Your Neighborhood Watch Program

Resources

• National Institute of Justice: Funding
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Program Information