Criminal Justice in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Part One (15 points)
Describe the community I reside in.
Detail which police precinct covers MY neighborhood; the precinct’s crime rates, demographics, businesses, etc. Anything you think is important to know about the area.
Discuss how my community views the criminal justice system.
Part Two (35 points)
Using the SARA model or the Problem Analysis Triangle/Crime Triangle from the book “Problem Oriented Policing” by Herman Goldstein:
Thoroughly describe ONE SPECIFIC major crime issue in MY community.
Explain how the police currently deal with this problem.
– Explain the model of analysis you chose (SARA/Crime Triangle) and how it will be applied to your issue.
Identify at least TWO government agencies, community groups, local institutions or other organizations that can assist the police in reducing this crime problem.
Detail which specific ways the police can work with these other entities to reduce the crime problem. Think about situational crime prevention and routine activities approaches.
Discuss what impact you think these interventions will have on police-community relations in MY neighborhood.
You MUST cite ALL SOURCES you have used for this assignment. Footnotes or a reference slide are both acceptable. You are free to use as many sources as you please. Below I provided the necessary tools you may need to complete this presentation with their links.
What is Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)?
https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/what-pop
Problem Analysis/Crime Triangle
https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/problem-analysis-triangle-0
The SARA Model
https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/sara-model-1
Sample Solution
I currently reside in the neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn which is covered by the 83rd Precinct. According to NYPD’s CompStat crime statistics report this area has seen a significant decrease in overall crime rates since 2017 with rape and murder incidents being particularly low (NYPD 2020). The community also consists of a diverse population with the majority being Hispanic or Latino (nearly 51%) followed by Black/African-American (nearly 28%), White (approximately 15%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (less than 5%).
In terms of businesses, Bushwick is home to numerous retail stores, restaurants & cafes as well as art galleries & performance venues making it a popular destination for locals & tourists alike. Additionally, there are several public parks & recreational centers providing much needed green space & activities for children.
When it comes to criminal justice opinions within my community vary widely. Many feel that police officers are often overly aggressive when dealing with minor offenses while others believe they should be more involved in preventing serious crimes from occurring. In general though, most residents agree that reform measures such as body cameras & civilian oversight boards can help improve relations between law enforcement & communities while also creating greater transparency within police departments.
