Operating as part of the Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade, COP has been active for just over 30 years, serving nearly 30,000 students every school year. COP members receive crime-prevention presentations, and participate in safety projects, rallies, assemblies, and special events. Club members educate their peers about youth crime prevention through positive peer pressure and peer-to-peer education. Participation in the club program occurs at each school. The Youth Crime Watch program provides training and ongoing support that includes materials and resources; however, the youth are the educators. The coordinator of the Youth Crime Watch programs reports that school crime statistics and survey assessments have continuously shown that schools with COP programs have lower crime rates and safer school environments. This facilitates a school climate that contributes to academic achievement.
Youth Crime Watch Turns Students Into Peer Educators
NCJ Number
250122
Journal
Techbeat Dated: June 2016 Pages: 12-18
Date Published
June 2016
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features and benefits of the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department's Youth Crime Watch club, called Citrus on Patrol (COP).
Abstract
Date Published: June 1, 2016