Crime Prevention Merit Badge

Requirements for the Crime Prevention merit badge:

1. Discuss the role and value of laws in society with regard to crime and crime prevention. Include in your discussion the definitions of 'crime' and 'crime prevention'.
2. Prepare a journal from various sources that addresses crime and crime prevention efforts in your community.
3. Discuss the following with your counselor:
   1. The role of citizens, including youth, in crime prevention
   2. Gangs and their impact on the community
   3. When and how to report a crime
4. After doing EACH of the following, discuss with your counselor what you have learned:
   1. Inspect your neighborhood for opportunities that may lead to crime. Learn how to do a crime prevention survey.
   2. Using the checklist in this pamphlet, conduct a security survey of your home and discuss the results with your family.
5. Teach your family or patrol members how to protect themselves from crime at home, at school, in your community, and while traveling.
6. Help raise awareness about one school safety issue facing students by doing ONE of the following:
   1. Create a poster for display on a school bulletin board.
   2. With permission from school officials, create a page long public service announcement that could be read over the public address system at school or posted on the school's Web site.
   3. Make a presentation to a group such as a Cub Scout den that addresses the issue.
7. Do ONE of the following:
   1. Assist in the planning and organization of a crime prevention program in your community such as Neighborhood Watch, Community Watch, or Crime Stoppers. Explain how this program can benefit your neighborhood.
   2. With your parent's and counselor's approval, visit a jail or detention facility or a criminal court hearing. Discuss your experience with your counselor.
8. Discuss the following with your counselor:
   1. How drug abuse awareness programs help prevent crime
   2. Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes called 'gateway drugs' and how 'gateway drugs' can lead to the use of other drugs
   3. The potential consequences from the misuse of prescription drugs.
   4. How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes.
   5. Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help
   6. How to recognize child abuse
   7. The 'three Rs' of Youth Protection
9. Discuss the following with your counselor:
   1. The role of a sheriff's or police department in crime prevention.
   2. The purpose and operation of agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel prevent crime, and how those agencies function during emergency situations.
   3. Explain the role private security plays in crime prevention.
   4. Choose a career in the crime prevention or security industry that interests you. Describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.

Crime Prevention Worksheet