ice for counsel and help before a serious problem arises, not after the fact. Community policing can also beneficial in expanding policing goals. Crime prevention takes on renewed importance in community policing as the police and the community become partners in addressing problems of disorder and neglect that can breed serious crime. As links between the police and the community are strengthened over time, the partnership is better able to pinpoint and mitigate the underlying causes of crime. Community policing relies on active community involvement. Effective community policing recognizes that community involvement gives new dimension to crime-control activities. While police continue to handle crime fighting and law enforcement responsibilities, the police and community work together to modify conditions that can encourage criminal behavior. The resources available within communities allow for an expanded focus on crime-prevention activities. Effective community policing depends on optimizing contact between patrol officers and community members so that the officer develops an intimate knowledge of the day-to-day workings of the community and becomes a familiar figure to community members. Establishing and maintaining mutual trust is the central goal of community partnership. Trust will give the police greater access to valuable information that can lead to the prevention of and solution of crimes. It will also give support for police activities and provide a basis for a productive working relationship with the community that will find solutions to local problems. However, trust may be hard to establish among community members due to the fact that although many members of a community may accept the idea of community policing, they may not want to get involved in transmitting information to the police because they may feel their lives will become endangered by one who dabbles in criminal activity. This may cause some to question if t...
