These days, it takes more than a local law enforcement agency to be effective against crime. It takes the efforts of many groups, including community agencies, groups of citizens, and other law enforcement groups. Collaborating against crime is most effective because groups working together to achieve the same results can be more powerful.
One of the newest developments in collaborating against crime is the work between national and local law enforcement agencies. For example, the FBI now works with local police crime units, to solve the toughest cases involved armed career criminals, murder, cold cases, and more. By working together, two agencies can combine resources, for better outcomes and faster sentencing. Sharing of information between two agencies gives those involved in solving serious crime several advantages over working alone.
Community agencies work with local law enforcement agencies, by providing additional resources of prevention, education, and in some cases, alternatives to committing a crime. Public health agencies and community social service agencies may work with law enforcement, by educating community members about the negative effects of drug use and abuse, domestic violence, assault, and gun violence, for example. Some court systems work with law enforcement agencies, to develop prevention and diversion programs for youth who appear to be headed toward a life of crime. Diversion programs focus on making better choices, education, and exploring alternatives.
Community groups such as neighborhood watches may involve citizens and businesses meeting with local law enforcement members, to discuss the most serious problems in the area. By collaborating against crime in this manner, people can help law enforcement agencies by reporting incidents and learning how they can prevent some types of crime. An officer can meet regularly and provide helpful crime prevention tips, as well as specific contact numbers to report certain types of crime in the specific neighborhoods.
Many school districts now have programs that educate students, while also involving police officers, to provide some forms of education and crime prevention at an early age. Collaborating against crime in this way targets children before they make bad choices, which may destroy their lives and the lives of others.
There is no one solution that can effectively target crime in every neighborhood or situation. This is why collaboration is becoming more important every day. Getting others involved creates greater awareness of the problem. It can also help reduce some types of crime and prevention, through targeted education and prevention programs.