|
|
|
|
|
Crime Prevention Fact Sheets |
|
|
|
|
Common Goals: Crime Prevention
Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security is responsible for supporting and promoting crime prevention and for advancing restorative justice initiatives.
The Alberta government and communities across the province are adopting evidence based approaches to preventing crime. Learning about what works is an important first step in wanting to make a difference in the lives of Albertans. Targeting known risk factors and populations with a higher prevalence of crime is part of developing effective community crime prevention strategies.
Evidence-based approaches to preventing crime include:
Family-based programs which are effective in preventing crime include:
- Parent training (with younger children)
- Home/community parent training (with older children)
- Multisystemic therapy
- Neighborhood Watch programs
Three types of community-based programs are considered to be promising in preventing crime:
- Gang member intervention programs that are focused on reducing cohesion among youth gangs and individual gang members
- Community-based mentoring
- After-school recreation
Three types of school-based programs have been found to be effective in preventing crime:
- School and discipline management
- Interventions to establish norms or expectations for behavior
- Self-control or social competency instruction using cognitive-behavioral instruction methods
The following types of place-focused programs have been found to be effective in preventing crime:
- Nuisance abatement
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to emphasize enhancing the perceived risk of detection and apprehension.
Restorative justice is a different way of thinking about responding to crime. Restorative justice practitioners view crime as harm done to people and communities, not just violation of the law. They seek to put things right by addressing the harm to victims, the community and by addressing the causes of crime.
Restorative justice processes are based on the principles of:
- Respect (given equally to all participants in a restorative justice process).
- Inclusiveness (full participation and consensus).
- Accountability (the offender takes responsibility for the behaviour that has harmed).
- Reparation (the parties decide what restitution or other measures are appropriate).
- Restoration (restore the harm caused by the criminal event by recognizing the needs of all parties
- Community involvement (victims, offenders and communities) is changing the way society looks at crime prevention. With involvement they are all included as key stakeholders in the restorative justice process.
There are many different types of restorative justice. The three most common models are:
- Family group (or community) conferencing
- Circles (sentencing circles, healing circles, or peace circles)
- Victim-offender conferences
Most models involve some form of encounter between the victim and offender. The meetings are led by facilitators who oversee and guide the process, balancing concern for all parties involved:
- Victims of Crime: The needs of the victims are addressed first in restorative justice. They may wish to ask questions or need to tell their story again to gain some sense of control. Victims are offered support and decide what their role in this process will be and do not have to forgive the offender.
- Offenders: Offenders come face-to-face with victims to acknowledge the harm they have caused. They are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and encouraged to share their understanding of how their behaviour has impacted the victim.
March is Fraud Prevention Month
Each year Fraud Prevention Month is recognized in 24 countries around the world. Throughout March, information sessions are held across our province to remind Albertans to take some important steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of fraud.
Fraud is a serious problem that accounts for billions of dollars in stolen cash, property and credit cards worldwide. It can also take its toll on a person’s credit rating, finances and personal life.
Knowledge and awareness are the best tools for fighting fraud. More information about fraud prevention and Fraud Prevention Month is available on the Alberta Community Crime Prevention website.
