Bachman/Northwest Highway Community Association

Article by Ofcr Monty Moncibais

New Millennium Crime Prevention

I just returned from Washington, D.C., after attending the 1999 National Conference on Preventing Crime. The theme of this year’s conference was “Realizing America’s Future”.

The conference was a tremendous success with over two thousand police officers, “Weed & Seed” members, Boys & Girls Club members, crime watch citizens, crime prevention specialists and crime prevention industry representatives.

I was extremely proud to have been selected by Chief John Martinez to represent the Dallas Police Department. The conference was a sea of new and innovative ideas being implemented by different departments and agencies throughout the country and the world regarding crime prevention. Besides being an ideal networking vehicle for exchanging ideas and planting time-tested success programs to uncharted departments and agencies, the conference fostered good will and unity between all crime prevention participants.

The overall theme of the conference was ‘crime prevention must begin and be maintained with our youth’. Our kids and young people must be involved and feel that they are a contributing and important factor in our efforts in crime prevention. Get them involved and listen to them. “Imprinting” begins at very young ages with “McGruff” and “Career Day” programs in Elementary School.

Officers connecting with our kids in the early Elementary School levels with “Stranger Danger”, Officer Friendly”, “9-1-1”, Halloween Safety”, etc. is where it begins. Crime prevention must not stop then. Crime prevention involvement must now become a staple for our kids and young people for the rest of their lives.

Seminars were held over this three-day conference and synopsis of the important points are as follow:

* It takes a community to raise our children.

* Organized & systematic crime watch groups work.

* Restorative justice is a future alternative.

* Grants to improve our neighborhoods will improve the quality of life.

* Citizen Police and Junior Police Academies improve understanding.

* Victim programs as crime prevention resources.

* Freeing our citizens from their self-made prisons of fear.

* Citizen & Business involvement are major components in crime prevention.

* Using the media to be heard by everyone.

* Using the triangle of crime prevention to raise our children: school, family & the community.

* Reintegrating ex-offenders.

* Tapping into our elected officials for crime prevention support.

* Youth / adult synergy.

* Mentoring and crime education.

* Integrity through activities and program initiatives.

Finally, a refreshing and inspiring new program was presented to the attendees entitled “Life Pieces to Masterpieces”. This program focused on inner city youth by using the arts as a catalyst for impacting decision making, thereby reducing the probability of involvement in crime, violence, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect. Members demonstrated their methodology through art experience, using vibrant art, percussion, poetry and storytelling. This program develops the capacity to integrate self-esteem and integrity through activities and program initiatives.

I found this conference to be a reminder that in the effort of crime prevention, we are all in it together, and united we must work to enjoy a safe and peaceful environment. I learned many new concepts and ideas and enjoyed the fellowship immensely. I look forward to the conference in 2000.

Monty Moncibais
Senior Corporal
Community Relations Officer
Northwest Operations Div.
Dallas Police Department
214-670-6055