Crime Prevention Merit Badge Requirements

* Millions of crimes are reported to law enforcement officers each
  year. Every American is a victim of these crimes. Even if we are
  not the direct targets of crime, as citizens we are forced to
  carry the burden of paying for more law enforcement officers,
  expensive court costs, and ever-larger prisons and jails. When we
  buy things at a store, we must pay higher prices to make up for
  the stores losses from theft by employees, shoplifting, and
  robbery. Law enforcement-the work of catching those who break the
  law and bringing legal action against them-might seem exciting on
  television and in the movies. But its better to prevent crime than
  to respond to crime after it has occurred. Crime prevention saves
  people the anguish of being victims, and preventing crime is less
  costly than dealing with crimes effects. What is crime prevention?
  Many law enforcement agencies define it as the "anticipation,
  recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of
  some action to remove or reduce the risk". Put more simply, crime
  prevention is being aware that crime is possible and taking steps
  to stop it. The merit badge pamphlet, Supply Division catalog
  number 33400, is-scheduled to be released on July 1, 1996.

1.      Define "crime" and "crime prevention".

2.      Perepare a notebook of newspaper and other clippings that
        addresses crime and crime prevention efforts in your community.

3.      Do the following:
        a)  Talk to a store owner or manager about the
            impact of crime on the way the store is run and 
            how crime affects prices. 
        b)  Talk with a school teacher, principal, or school officer
            about the impact of crime in your school. 
        c)  Explain what a neighborhood watch is and how it can 
            benefit your neighborhood.
        d)  Define white-collar crime and explain how it affects all
            citizens of thr United States.

4.      Discuss the following with your counselor: 
        a)  The role of a sheriffs department or police department
            in crime prevention .
        b)  The role of citizens, including youth, in crime prevention
        c)  Gangs and their impact on the community 
        d)  When and how to report a crime 
        e)  The role and value of laws in society

5.      Do the following:
        a)  Inspect your neighborhood for opportunities
            that may lead to crime. Learn how to do a crime 
            prevention survey.
        b)  Using the checklist in this pamphlet, conduct a 
            security survey of your home and discuss the results 
            with your family.

6.      Teach your family or patrol members how to protect themselves
        from crime at home. at school, in your community, and while
        traveling.

7.      Visit a jail or detention facility. Discuss your experience
        with your counselor.

8.      Discuss with your counselor the purpose and operation of
        agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel
        prevent crime, and how the agencies help in emergency situations.

9.      Discuss the following with your counselor: 
        a)  How drug abuse areness programs, such as "Drugs: 
            A Deadly Game," help prevent crime 
        b)  Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes 
            called "gateway drugs" and how "gateway drugs" can 
            lead to the use of other drugs 
        c)  Three resources in your city where a person with a
            drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help 
        d)  How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes 
        e)  How to recognize child abuse 
        f)  The "three Rs" of Youth Protection