Community-Based Crime Prevention: An Assessment of the Eisenhower Foundation's Neighborhood Program

Abstract

The article assesses the implementation and impact of the Eisenhower Foundation's Neighborhood Program in ten communities. Most organizations successfully implemented the program and generated a level of participation that compares favorably to other programs. Despite successful implementation, the programs had only modest community impact. Fear of crime and concern about local problems declined slightly in some communities, but there was no documentable evidence of change in communities' crime or perceived quality of life. Of the Eisenhower Foundation guidelines, technical assistance was most clearly linked to program success, although the community planning process and advisory councils may have increased participation. Possible reasons for the small program impact and policy implications of the demonstration project are discussed.