With support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation and The New York Community Trust, Public Agenda investigated the potential for increased communication and dialogue between community residents and the police in San Antonio, Texas, New Haven, Connecticut, and New York City. Based on focus groups, interviews, and dialogue sessions with a mix of "regular" citizens and police officers, our research found both the public and the police to be potential beneficiaries of increased communication.
Research Studies: Crime & Corrections
Trust and Confidence in the California Courts: Public Court Users and Judicial Branch Members Talk About the California Courts
Available from the Judicial Council of California. This focus group and in-depth interview study, commissioned on behalf of the Judicial Council of California, examined attitudes about the state courts among both the general public who have used the state courts and the judicial administrators and officers who serve there.
Straight Talk/Street Talk: Possibilities for Police-Community Dialogue
Crime, Fears, and Videotape: A Survey of Baltimore-Area Residents
Based on a survey of residents of Baltimore City and five surrounding counties, this study examines whether public perceptions of crime and safety in the greater Baltimore area are primarily shaped by personal experiences or local television newscasts. 1998.
Americans' Views on Crime and Law Enforcement:
Published in the September 1997 issue of the National Institute of Justice Journal, this article is an analysis of recent public opinion data on crime, the criminal justice system, and the role and effectiveness of the police. In summarizing key findings, this article notes where attitudes can vary sharply between African-Americans and whites. 1997. Available from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at (800) 851-3420.
Punishing Criminals: Pennsylvanians Consider the Options
For this study of attitudes toward crime and corrections, Public Agenda surveyed a representative group of Pennsylvanians twice — once prior to any discussion, and then again after the group had been presented with educational materials and participated in discussions about the issues. 1992.
Punishing Criminals: The People of Delaware Consider the Options
Using the same approach taken in the Pennsylvania study, Public Agenda surveyed Delaware residents' attitudes about the criminal justice system and various sentencing options. 1991.
An interesting report. As a retired police officer, active from the early 1970s to mid 1990s, I saw how much better for the public community policing is. When a police officer gets to know the people in the community, both the good-guys and bad-guys, his/her job becomes easier and crime solving becomes more relaistic. As an Adjunct Instructor in the Criminal Justice Program of a private university in South Florida, I spend a great deal of time discussing with my students the concept of Victim-Oriented Policing which is if we think of everyone in our community as a potential victim, then the community becomes part of the local police agency as its eyes and ears. During my early days as a police officer, we were trained to segragate ourselves from the community. However, as I neared retirement, the concept of community policing was making its entrance into the department and I began to see a much better relationship between police officers and community members becasue of the increase of communications between the two.