Community prosecution: community policing's legal partner.Although various reports indicate that violent crime rates have been decreasing, the American public continues to feel threatened by crime. Whether real or imagined, this dread pervades the lives of many people in today's society. When residents live in fear in their own neighborhoods, the criminal justice system has failed. While all disciplines working in the system bear the responsibility for promoting public safety, it is the prosecutor's first and foremost obligation. In today's climate, prosecutors must prosecute To follow through; to commence and continue an action or judicial proceeding to its ultimate conclusion. To proceed against a defendant by charging that person with a crime and bringing him or her to trial. crimes vigorously and explore creative solutions to addressing crime. To increase public safety and enhance the quality of life in their districts, prosecutors have begun to transcend their traditional roles of reacting to crime as case processors. As crime and violence threaten communities and caseloads overwhelm o·ver·whelm tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms 1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. 2. a. the criminal justice system, some prosecutors have begun experimenting with creative approaches to fighting, as well as preventing, crime in their jurisdictions. Accordingly, district attorneys have embraced an innovative philosophy called community prosecution.(1) THE CONCEPT Community prosecution is a grassroots approach to law enforcement involving both traditional and nontraditional prosecutorial pros·e·cu·to·ri·al adj. Of, relating to, or concerned with prosecution: "a huge investigative and prosecutorial effort" Lucian K. Truscott IV. initiatives. It invites citizens to participate in establishing crime-fighting priorities and collaborating with prosecutors. By clearly defining an area in which to implement community-based programs, committing resources for the long term, and being sensitive to residents' concerns, prosecutors can target key problems identified by residents. Community prosecution contrasts sharply with the traditional method of setting prosecutorial priorities by assessing the seriousness of the crime, the weight of the evidence, and the threat that defendants pose to the public or to themselves. Community prosecution often addresses less serious crimes, such as prostitution prostitution, act of granting sexual access for payment. Although most commonly conducted by females for males, it may be performed by females or males for either females or males. or loitering Loitering (IPA pronunciation: ['lɔɪtəˌrɪŋ] is an intransitive verb meaning to stand idly, to stop numerous times, or to delay and procrastinate. , that threaten to deteriorate de·te·ri·o·rate v. 1. To grow worse in function or condition. 2. To weaken or disintegrate. the quality of life in communities. In September 1993 and February 1995, the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI APRI American Prosecutors Research Institute APRI Advanced Projects Research, Incorporated APRI Atlanta Public Radio Initiative APRI Air Priority ) convened focus groups to discuss the concept of community prosecution. Both groups consisted of prosecutors actively involved in community prosecution programs and other allied professionals, including law enforcement officials, with expertise on the subject. The groups defined community prosecution, identified key components of a successful program, discussed the issues that prosecutors should consider when planning and implementing a program, and determined the relationship of community prosecution to community policing. While perspectives varied among jurisdictions, the groups agreed that community prosecution focuses on targeted areas and involves a long-term, proactive partnership among the prosecutor's office, law enforcement, the community, and public and private organizations in order to solve problems, improve public safety, and enhance the quality of life in the community. Building on this definition, the focus groups identified nine key components that embody em·bod·y tr.v. em·bod·ied, em·bod·y·ing, em·bod·ies 1. To give a bodily form to; incarnate. 2. To represent in bodily or material form: the general concept of community prosecution. Proactive Approach A community prosecution strategy must enforce the law and prevent crime. Rather than merely waiting for a crime to occur, prosecutors work with the target community to prevent crime. Target Area The prosecutor must choose a site and focus all efforts into that area. The area may encompass one city block, a housing development, or a police district.(2) Partnerships The hallmark of community prosecution is forming partnerships. In a position to affect policy, prosecutors, law enforcement leaders, and public and private sector officials must work together to thoughtfully consider the community's public safety and quality-of-life concerns. As a group, they fashion an effective, coordinated approach and ensure the successful use of all legal tools. Law enforcement and the district attorney's office combine to form a crucial partnership. Police officers and prosecutors have distinct roles but possess similar missions: securing public safety. Traditionally, both enforce laws, leaving crime prevention to others. However, the mission of both community prosecution and community policing is crime prevention. Consequently, community prosecution has derived some of its basic elements from community policing. Strong cooperation between police departments and prosecutors' offices has proven to enhance community prosecution programs immensely. For example, the Local Intensive Narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. Enforcement (LINE) Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a high-impact enforcement campaign focusing intense prosecutorial efforts within a single district. Assistant district attorneys often ride with police, accompanying them to visit community groups and assisting with investigations, as appropriate. Through these collaborative efforts, prosecutors obtain firsthand first·hand adj. Received from the original source: firsthand information. first knowledge of every arrest, which helps bring offenders swiftly to justice. Numerous other community prosecution programs exist in which police and prosecutors work closely as partners, producing positive results in combating crime. Some include efforts in Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. It encompasses parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest in Missouri, which includes counties in both Missouri and Kansas. ; Indianapolis, Indiana “Indianapolis” redirects here. For other uses, see Indianapolis (disambiguation). Indianapolis (IPA: [ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs]) is the capital city of the U.S. ; Cambridge, Massachusetts This article is about the city of Cambridge in Massachusetts. For the English university town, see Cambridge, England. For other places, see Cambridge (disambiguation). Cambridge, Massachusetts is a city in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts, United States. ; Rockville, Maryland Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. According to the 2006 census update, the city had a total population of 59,114, making it the second largest city in Maryland. ; New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , New York; Boston, Massachusetts “Boston” redirects here. For other uses, see Boston (disambiguation). Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts.[3] The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the unofficial economic and cultural center of the entire New ; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin For other places with the same name, see Milwaukee (disambiguation). Milwaukee is the largest city within the state of Wisconsin and 25th largest (by population) in the United States. . Community Input Successful community prosecution also depends on the direct interaction between the prosecutor and the community, as well as the incorporation of the community's input into the courtroom. Prosecutors may keep residents apprised of pending felony felony (fĕl`ənē), any grave crime, in contrast to a misdemeanor, that is so declared in statute or was so considered in common law. and misdemeanor charges against offenders in their neighborhoods. At the same time, residents may provide information that strengthens the evidence against a specific defendant (e.g., community impact statements).(3) Communication Maintaining open communication with residents of the target area and officials from other entities in the partnership remains crucial to the success of the program. Through problem solving problem solving Process involved in finding a solution to a problem. Many animals routinely solve problems of locomotion, food finding, and shelter through trial and error. , prosecutors learn which issues most trouble citizens so they can address these priorities accordingly. Often, these priorities include public safety and quality-of-life issues. Varied Methods In conjunction with the other entities involved in the partnership, prosecutors incorporate varied strategies, such as civil sanctions and nuisance abatement A reduction, a decrease, or a diminution. The suspension or cessation, in whole or in part, of a continuing charge, such as rent. With respect to estates, an abatement is a proportional diminution or reduction of the monetary legacies, a disposition of property by will, when , to strictly enforce the law. These varied enforcement strategies can eliminate problems without actually prosecuting defendants. For example, responding to residents' complaints about drug dealing in a restaurant or bar, health department inspectors may enter the establishment and search for health code violations. Upon discovering a sufficient number of violations, the inspectors can close the business, effectively shutting down the illegal drug operation. Long-term Strategies Prosecutors must dedicate ded·i·cate tr.v. ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing, ded·i·cates 1. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate. 2. themselves to the community prosecution concept and demonstrate this firm commitment in the long run. Only in this way can community prosecution establish credibility and acceptance among community residents and achieve its objectives. Commitment As with all new programs, support from the prosecutor, as well as from other partnership policy makers, is critical to success. Only when the district attorney demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the effort and clearly communicates this dedication to middle managers, will those on the front lines be convinced that their efforts are priorities. Continuous Evaluation The district attorney must provide for the collection of data at all stages of the community prosecution. Careful and continuous evaluation of a program is important for monitoring the delivery of services, identifying program strengths and weaknesses, and providing evidence of the effectiveness of the program strategy. IMPLEMENTATION In theory, a community prosecution program is easy to implement. In practice, however, the transition may prove difficult and tedious. Prosecutors may face numerous obstacles from inside and outside their organizations. One potential roadblock involves the residents of the target area. Initially, they may be suspicious of outsiders whom they perceive as insincere in·sin·cere adj. Not sincere; hypocritical. in  sin·cere ly adv. in their attempts to "help" them. Often, residents see prosecutors as enemies in business suits who send friends and loved ones loved ones npl → seres mpl queridosloved ones npl → proches mpl et amis chers loved ones love npl to jail. Prosecutors must build trust carefully with these individuals. Another possible hurdle is that the culture of district attorneys' offices does not always lend itself to this type of work. Many attorneys choose careers in prosecution to enforce laws and lock up "bad guys." Often, they view community involvement as "touchy-feely" or the job of social workers. Prosecutorial leaders must select staff members who remain open to the new concept and possess unique skills to act as community problem solvers. Not every assistant district attorney will be suited for the new endeavor, and the prosecutor must recognize this. Turf battles represent the third obstacle, as they are inevitable in any partnership. Boundaries erected by and between various entities must be torn down. For example, the historically conflict-prone relationship between police and prosecutors must give way to a team approach. Indeed, collaborative efforts work best when each member of the partnership understands that achieving the goals of public safety and crime prevention requires a team effort. Policy makers must cast aside stereotypes and acknowledge the abilities and limitations of their organizations. Open communication among all of the partners is essential. Because of these and other challenges, prosecutors planning to make the transition to community prosecution should follow a specific approach. In general, instituting a community prosecution program involves eight steps: * Selecting a target area * Conducting a needs assessment * Identifying resources and garnering the support and commitment of policy makers * Identifying funding sources * Organizing program players and internal staff * Developing the community prosecution program plan * Implementing the program * Evaluating the program. Of course, as with any program in its infancy, flexibility and open-mindedness are essential to its overall success. SUCCESS STORIES A number of jurisdictions, large and small, rural and metropolitan, throughout the nation have community prosecution programs in place. The following examples represent only two from an extensive list. Brooklyn, New York When the Kings County, New York, district attorney (DA) took office in January 1990, the borough of Brooklyn was besieged be·siege tr.v. be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es 1. To surround with hostile forces. 2. To crowd around; hem in. 3. by virtually insurmountable problems, such as burgeoning drug use, increasing street violence, crumbling community institutions, and a deteriorating de·te·ri·o·rate v. de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing, de·te·ri·o·rates v.tr. To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value: infrastructure. Aware that the national trend toward community policing helped to reduce crime, the DA developed a community prosecution program to complement the New York Police New York Police may refer to:
Based on data depicting the borough's demographic composition and on analyses of crime trends, the DA divided prosecutorial responsibility for the 23 police precincts Noun 1. police precinct - a precinct in which law enforcement is the responsibility of particular police force precinct - a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes in his district into 5 zones, assigning approximately 25 assistant prosecutors to each zone. Cases originating in a particular zone are prosecuted by the assigned assistants and adjudicated in courts in the zone,(4) although the assistants remain based in the district attorney's office. Within each zone, special programs exist to target problems specified by residents, and the DA has expanded and altered the program on an as-needed basis. Multnomah County, Oregon Multnomah County (IPA: [ml̩t ˈno mə]) is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous[1] as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city. In 1990, the Multnomah County district attorney began exploring ways in which the services of his office could augment Portland's community policing effort. He formed a coalition of resources, both public and private, to fund a community prosecution program. Members of his staff, together with residents of various neighborhoods in the county, developed several ways of improving life in targeted areas. They call it the Neighborhood DA Program. As part of the program, the DA assigns one deputy district attorney to each of six geographic areas within Multnomah County. The deputy DAs work from offices in their assigned areas, making them readily accessible to residents. At the same time, the deputy can conduct a host of activities, from teaching citizens about restraining orders restraining order: see injunction. to reviewing criminal cases that originate in Verb 1. originate in - come from stem - grow out of, have roots in, originate in; "The increase in the national debt stems from the last war" the district. The District Public Safety Committee works in conjunction with the Neighborhood DA Program to provide a forum for collaboration and information dissemination dissemination Medtalk The spread of a pernicious process–eg, CA, acute infection Oncology Metastasis, see there among residents, business owners, and the Neighborhood DA. The committee meets monthly to identify quality-of-life issues and crime problems that are important to the area and devises strategies to address these problems. For example, the Neighborhood DA distributes "troubleshooter cards" at each committee meeting and on each block throughout the neighborhood. These cards, which contain questions on drug-related crimes Illegal drugs are related to crime in multiple ways. Most directly, it is a crime to use, possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs classified as having a potential for abuse (such as cocaine, heroin, morphine and amphetamines). and public safety issues, enable the deputy DA to obtain timely and accurate information on community observations. The prosecutor compiles the information, distributes it to district police officers, and uses it to develop crime prevention strategies. The Neighborhood DA Program is focused and long term. It demonstrates the community-based commitment of the district attorney to solving public safety and quality-of-life problems in innovative ways. EVALUATION No formal or in-depth research evaluations have concluded definitively that community prosecution actually increases public safety and enhances the quality of life in many communities. However, prosecutors' observations indicate that the concept works. One jurisdiction targeted street robberies by asking assistant district attorneys to respond quickly to crime scenes and precincts pre·cinct n. 1. a. A subdivision or district of a city or town under the jurisdiction of or patrolled by a specific unit of its police force. b. to question witnesses and gather evidence. During that 5-month period, street robberies in the target area decreased 8 percent.(5) As a result of an effort directed at drug trafficking operations on residential properties, one prosecutor's office closed three drug houses on one street and almost 700 properties in a 3-year period.(6) Prosecutors from several jurisdictions report a surge in community involvement, ranging from help with graffiti removal to crime tips from residents and increased eyewitness An individual who was present during an event and is called by a party in a lawsuit to testify as to what he or she observed. The state and Federal Rules of Evidence, which govern the admissibility of evidence in civil actions and criminal proceedings, impose requirements participation. Moreover, residents write to thank community prosecutors for closing down drug houses and removing crack vials from their streets. Some residents have personally thanked prosecutors who removed the prostitution problem from their neighborhoods.(7) Others say that they no longer awaken to find broken car windows each morning.(8) Many residents have told community prosecutors that for the first time, they feel the criminal justice system is responsive to their needs. Thanks to community prosecution, these residents have become part of the solution to their problems.(9) THE FUTURE As the concept receives wider acceptance, the future for community-based justice programs rests in the hands of those who join the partnership. Ideally, community policing and community prosecution will merge into a community justice movement. This movement will grow from the synergy created by law enforcement, prosecutors, and other allied professionals working together to help community members gain control over their neighborhoods and, ultimately, their lives. When they believe that policy makers truly care about their communities, residents willingly risk involvement. As community prosecution and community policing efforts achieve success, residents will feel safer and enjoy a better quality of life. Accordingly, they likely will continue such efforts in the future. The community justice movement is a trend for the future. Working as partners to secure public safety and enhance the quality of life, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). , and public and private organizations can tap a tremendous resource - citizens. True partnerships also eliminate duplicate efforts and provide maximum benefits to all. CONCLUSION In this era of community involvement, prosecutors are seeking innovative ways to fight and prevent crime in their jurisdictions. More and more prosecutors are augmenting their roles as case processors, forming community-based partnerships, expanding their presence in otherwise-forgotten neighborhoods, and helping residents take charge of their lives. Initiated in many jurisdictions as a response to escalating crime problems, community prosecution has become increasingly popular as a means to secure public safety and enhance the quality of life in ways that traditional prosecution could not. Like community policing, community prosecution is a philosophy whose time has come. Nine Components of Community Prosecution * A proactive approach * A clearly defined target area * Community-based partnerships * Community input * Open communication * Varied enforcement methods * Long-term commitment * Support from policy makers * Continuous evaluation Endnotes 1 Since 1990, the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI), the research and technical assistance affiliate of the National District Attorneys Association, has followed this prosecutorial trend closely. APRI's community prosecution work is supported by Cooperative Agreement numbers 94-DD-CX-0086 and 96-DD-BX-0055 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Noun 1. Bureau of Justice Assistance - the bureau in the Department of Justice that assists local criminal justice systems to reduce or prevent crime and violence and drug abuse BJA , Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. APRI has documented various innovative prevention programs led by prosecutors and has published numerous resources on the subject, including: Beyond Convictions: Prosecutors as Community Leaders in the War on Drugs (Alexandria, VA: APRI, 1993); Community Prosecution: A Guide for Prosecutors, (Alexandria, VA: APRI, 1995); and The Community Prosecution Implementation Manual, (Alexandria, VA: APRI, 1995). 2 Prosecutors use various criteria when choosing a target area. For examples, see the American Prosecutors Research Institute's Community Prosecution Implementation Manual, 1995. 3 Community impact statements, or victim impact statements, are presented as evidence in court to corroborate To support or enhance the believability of a fact or assertion by the presentation of additional information that confirms the truthfulness of the item. The testimony of a witness is corroborated if subsequent evidence, such as a coroner's report or the testimony of other offenders' crimes and increase the severity of their sentences. There are many other ways in which prosecutors and residents can help each other in and out of the courtroom. For more information, see the Community Prosecution Implementation Manual. 4 Approximately 85 percent of all cases are adjudicated in this manner. Special prosecutors special prosecutor: see independent counsel. , assigned to specialized units, handle the remaining 15 percent - which include sex crimes, organized crime, and high-profile cases - regardless of the zone in which the crimes occurred. 5 Honorable Charles Hynes, District Attorney, Kings County, New York, interview by APRI staff, July 1992; and Jay Cohen Jay Cohen (born 1968) was the CEO of World Sports Exchange (WSEX), an online gambling company from 1996 until July 24, 2000, when he was the first United States citizen to be convicted in US Federal Court for violation of the Federal Wire Act for operating an online gambling , Deputy District Attorney, Kings County, New York, interview by author, September 1995. 6 Willis L. Toney, "Drug Abatement Response Team (DART) Program," DART Newsletter, Kansas City Kansas City, two adjacent cities of the same name, one (1990 pop. 149,767), seat of Wyandotte co., NE Kansas (inc. 1859), the other (1990 pop. 435,146), Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, NW Mo. (inc. 1850). , MO, June 1993. 7 Honorable E. Michael McCann E. Michael McCann served as the elected District Attorney of Milwaukee County in Wisconsin for 38 years (1968-2006). He retired from public service in January 2007, at which time he joined Marquette University Law School as a Boden Teaching Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Law. , Milwaukee County District Attorney, interview by author, September 1995. 8 Albert Toczydlowski, LINE Project Director, Office of the District Attorney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, interview by APRI staff, March 1992; and "Taking Their Block Back," The Philadelphia Daily News The Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that began publishing on March 31, 1925, under founding editor Lee Ellmaker. In its early years, it was dominated by crime stories, sports and sensationalism. By 1930, daily circulation of the morning paper exceeded 200,000. , September 25, 1992. 9 Wayne Pearson, assistant district attorney, Office of the Multnomah County District Attorney, August 1993, presentation; and Melinda Haag, deputy prosecuting attorney, Office of the Marion County Marion County is the name of seventeen counties in the United States of America, mostly named for General Francis Marion:
Formerly with the American Prosecutors Research Institute in Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 128,284. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) south of downtown Washington, DC. , Ms. Susan P. Weinstein now serves as the program attorney for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals in Alexandria. |
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