Child Custody Disputes and Court Order Violations Finalist

Fresno Police Department (California, USA)

A police department was overwhelmed with calls-for-service involving child custody disputes and exchanges. The district attorneys office could only prosecute the most serious cases. Most of the law enforcement agencies in the county had different procedures for reporting child custody and court order violations. The agencies increased communication, established uniform policies, and encouraged people to avoid calling the police with their custody and exchange problems. Parents with recurring custody and exchange problems were required to work through a private agency, which provided supervised child custody exchanges. Calls-for-service related to child custody violations decreased by 65 percent, and the district attorneys office increased the number of cases prosecuted.

Chronic Truancy Abatement Program Finalist

Baltimore Police Department (Maryland USA)

A neighborhood was troubled by high rates of juvenile crime during the daytime. An investigation revealed that truancy was not viewed as a high priority and no actions were taken against truants or their parents. Police collaborated with school officials and established a program to reduce chronic truancy and juvenile crime. Daytime crime decreased, school attendance increased, and the targeted school enjoyed the highest attendance rate in the citys public school system.

Hawthorne Huddle Finalist

Minneapolis Police Department (Minnesota, USA)

A neighborhood was plagued by high rates of crime, narcotics trafficking, vandalism, burglary, and disorder. Data revealed that the number, types, and location of crimes confirmed the residents concerns. An increase in rental properties, a decline in housing conditions, and poor screening of tenants contributed to the crime and disorder. A large group of residents and the police collaborated to develop a plan to combat crime and improve neighborhood conditions. The number of executed narcotics warrants, vandalism incidents, and burglaries decreased.

Intersecting Solutions Finalist

Vancouver Police Department (British Columbia, Canada)

Nuisance behavior and maintenance issues at an intersection were a focal point of the citizen complaints. A plan was developed to address the problems affecting this intersection including modifying the physical environment and consistent enforcement. Structures and vegetation facilitating crime and disorder and graffiti were removed. Garbage disposal and pick-up were improved, and local businesses were involved in increasing building and street maintenance. Calls-for-service, graffiti, and litter were reduced, while the quality of life increased.

The Power of Partnerships Finalist

Racine Police Department (Wisconsin, USA)

Traditional police responses to neighborhood crime and disorder were ineffective. A survey revealed that residents were frustrated with their neighborhood because of disorder and the inability of the police to control crime. A variety of problem-solving initiatives were undertaken by police-community partnerships including crackdowns on gang and drug activity and landlords violating building codes. Partnerships were established with local business leaders to purchase homes near criminal activity to use as community-policing centers. Data revealed that in the two neighborhoods where community-policing centers were established, crime decreased as businesses and residents reinvested in the communities.