U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Comprehensive Communities Program:
Program Account
Introduction
Crime continues as a major concern in
our nation’s communities. Public safety
and quality of life are of critical impor-
tance to citizens, elected representa-
tives, and service providers. Although
public and private agencies and busi-
nesses have an interest and investment
in preserving public safety, neither pub-
lic agencies nor private businesses can
do this job alone.
Experience has taught us that prob-
lems can be solved better and more
efficiently when tackled by communi-
ties as a whole rather than by individu-
als working alone. Partnerships work,
and the Comprehensive Communities
Program (CCP) is a collaborative
approach that has proved its effective-
ness in reducing crime and increasing
public safety.
This bulletin addresses issues that indi-
vidual stakeholders such as mayors, city
managers, members of city or county
councils, city or county department
heads, law enforcement officials, commu-
nity organizations, nonprofit agencies,
local business owners, and neighbor-
hood residents must face as they work
together toward crime reduction and a
better quality of life.The bulletin sug-
gests that community partners can
carry out a more strategic and focused
approach to solving crime problems.
Basic information is provided about
the CCP approach by highlighting juris-
dictions that have used it successfully.
This account describes the principles
and critical elements comprising CCP
and shares the findings and experi-
ences of jurisdictions that have partici-
pated in the program. It also presents
findings from the national evaluation
and local assessments of the program
and describes the plans developed by
jurisdictions to sustain their programs.
By learning more about the CCP
approach, communities can enhance
their ability to build partnerships, imple-
ment effective strategies, and engage
local residents as important and equal
players.
Overview
The Bureau o