Crime Prevention

Crime prevention is the attempt to reduce crime and deter criminals.

Sheriff Lewis with community members at Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Substation in the Alvin Community

Community policing is a philosophy of policing based upon the premise that law enforcement officers and members of the community create a partnerships and work together to solve problems related to crime and fear of crime.

Crime prevention and community policing complement each other and share a common purpose of reducing the threat of crime and making communities safer and more secure.

Community policing involves reforming decision making processes, creating new cultures within police departments, and strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and citizens.

Crime prevention provides information and skills that are essential to community policing.

Crime Prevention is:

Everyone’s business
More than security
A responsibility of all levels of government
Linked with solving social problems
Cost effective

Crime Prevention Requires:

A central position in law enforcement
Active cooperation among all elements of the community
Education
Tailoring to local needs and conditions
Continual testing and improvement