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Vital Partners: Mayors and Police Chiefs Working Together for America's Children and Youth

NCJ Number
221793
Date Published
February 2007
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This report explains the features and functions of effective partnerships among mayors, police chiefs, and municipal agencies that can improve the safety and well-being of children and youth.
Abstract
Although the initiatives described in this report address a broad range of concerns, they share four key elements: the belief that collaboration is essential for achieving results; a commitment to community-oriented policing strategies citywide or in targeted neighborhoods; a focus on key indicators for measuring progress; and the development of a shared community vision that sustains these partnerships over time. Case studies of collaboration in various cities are presented to show how collaboration contributes to the development and implementation of a coordinated strategy that draws on the resources and expertise of law enforcement and other city and community agencies. The various strategies highlighted in the report are all anchored in community-oriented policing, defined and adapted locally to reflect community culture and needs. Both citywide and targeted neighborhood strategies of community-oriented policing are described. Commentary notes that mayor-law enforcement partnerships strengthen community-oriented policing. The report explains how to collect and use data to sustain momentum and measure progress in coalition efforts to address targeted needs of children and youth. The coalitions and projects featured in the report are in Boston, MA; Burnsville, MN; El Paso, TX; New Brighton, MN; New Haven, CT; Sallisaw, OK; and San Jose, CA. 24 annotated resources