Crime Prevention and Police-Citizens Youth Clubs: A vision for the future
C.Cross12
1- Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association, Queensland
2- School of Justice, Queensland University of Technology
This presentation draws on findings from a recent evaluation which examined the crime prevention and community safety benefits of Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYCs) in local communities. The evaluation involved qualitative research with 152 participants drawn primarily from three case study communities across Queensland (metropolitan, regional and Indigenous).
The evaluation provided overwhelmingly positive results on the value that PCYCs have in their local communities and the impact that their activities can have on young people, their families and the community. This was particularly the case for indicators such as providing structured, low cost activities, developing positive relationships and trust between police and young people; providing a safe place for young people; and fostering social inclusion.
However, the evaluation also highlighted a lack of understanding and consistency with regards to understanding what “crime prevention” means to the organisation as a whole, and how this is implemented and achieved in each of the 54 clubs across Queensland. It also documented tensions that exist relating to understanding the value and benefits of crime prevention, which is not always seen to be traditional police work.
This paper reflects on the role that PCYC has in achieving considerable crime prevention outcomes within local communities. It outlines some of the work that is currently being done to improve the knowledge and understanding of what crime prevention is, and how its value can be increasingly communicated and acknowledged, both internally and externally to the organisation. It outlines the important role that PCYCs can play in partnering with the QPS and other organisations in the community to provide substantial benefits to young people, police, and the community as a whole.