PLEASE NOTE: BSA has reduced their emphasis on this program, but has not discontinued it completely. The patch is still being produced, but some Scout Shops™ may not routinely stock the patch.  To avoid disappointing Scouts, CHECK FIRST to see if any are available in your area before promoting this program and patch.

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Introduction

It is important to provide a positive model through our personal efforts to work with community and neighborhood groups to prevent crime. Visible participation as a concerned citizen has a very powerful influence on others.

Individual and Group Activities

• Organize a neighborhood watch program.
• Organize through a community organization a child-identification activity, including fingerprinting or videotaping.
• Implement a McGruff program for children in elementary school.
• Organize after-school and/or weekend activities, such as tutoring or organized sports, for children in elementary school.
• Mentor peers or young people. Establish a positive relationship with someone who needs support and a role model.
• Conduct an ethics forum for your school class, or for two or more crews or posts.
• Learn conflict resolution and mediation-ways to settle arguments and disputes other than by violence or running away.
• Work with a law enforcement agency to teach crime prevention or safety to elderly people or children in elementary school.
• Design and conduct an activity in concert with a community-based agency that has been approved by the crew or post committee, i.e., local sheriff’s, police, or fire department.
• Community clean-ups: Work with others to clean up trashy, run-down, or overgrown public areas - or private property, with the owner’s permission. Spruce up schools, neighborhood parks, or yards of those unable to do the work. Wipe out or paint over graffiti.

Crime Prevention Resources

Ethical Controversies, No. 23-823, available through the BSA local council or the Exploring Division of the BSA national office

Drugs: A Deadly Game, available through the BSA local council or Boys’ Life magazine

Neighborhood watch programs and McGruff programs, available through local law enforcement agencies

Drug Abuse Prevention for Explorers, available through the U.S. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration, and through the Exploring Division of the BSA national office

Recognition

All age-level participants are eligible to receive a patch, pin, wallet card, and certificate. Awards may be purchased at the local council service center.

The Crime Prevention Award

Recognitions consisting of patches, wallet cards, certificates, and pins are available. All participants-including those not registered in Venturing or Exploring-are eligible to earn the Crime Prevention Award provided they fulfill the requirements of the two phases outlined below and detailed on the application form.

Phase I

Youth and/or family members fulfill this phase of the award by completing the activity outlined on the application form for this phase, and having a parent and/or post Advisor sign the application form afterward.

Phase II

This phase of the award is completed by

1. securing the approval of a post Advisor for a crime prevention project, either an original project or a project of a neighborhood- or community-based organization;
2. participating with your post, friends, family, neighborhood, or community in the crime prevention project; and
3. having a parent and/or post Advisor sign the application form afterward.

Once both phases have been completed, the unit leader must sign the application. Awards may be purchased at the local council service center.