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Project Ideas

The Crime Reduction and Violence Prevention Task Force urges every Rotary club in the world to select one new program, in each of the Crime and Violence areas, to help make a difference in their own communities.  We hope the following list of ideas is a help.

• Develop a service project to keep young people off the streets by providing meaningful activities and a safe place for them to go.
• Hold a meeting with local law enforcement officials to determine what the most pressing crime and violence problems are in your community and to identify what your club can do to help.
• Recognize an individual or organization in your community that has made significant contributions to crime reduction (i.e. local police officer, social service agency, or youth leader).
• Conduct a conflict resolution seminar for club and community members.
• Investigate the possibility of instituting a conflict resolution program in local schools.
• Support a program that provides mentoring and role models to "at risk" children.
• Develop a project to help young people stay in school and develop vocational skills that will lead to meaningful employment.
• Support a drug abuse prevention project.

Additional Project Ideas

1. Club and district presentations on crime reduction and violence prevention.  Identify possible expert volunteer and professional presenters.
2. district forum on the subject prior or during the annual district conference.
3. Elementary, high school and college program on conflict resolution.  Rotary club matching funds for support.  Recognize club activity.
4. District governor's newsletter feature articles on the subjects of Crime Reduction, Violence Prevention and Conflict Resolution.
5. Club, district and Rotary Foundation programs which promote international friendship and understanding.  Research Rotary Foundation Grants to districts which promote the above.
6. Clubs network with local police departments and social agencies which have a commitment to minimize crime and violence in the community.  Ask how your Rotary club can assist . . . then do it!
7. Rotary sponsor a Student Academy at the local high school(s) as a means to interest students in a law enforcement related career.  The need for future recruits is critical particularly the need for those who speak more than one language.  There is the possibility of utilizing qualified Rotarians as instructors on the subjects of integrity, community concerns, etc.
8. Organize a metropolitan area forum on Crime Reduction and Violence Prevention.  The object is to create media coverage and expert information by forum presenters such as judges, District Attorney, Probation Officers, Police Chiefs.
9. Service club and community forums on "prevention" to alert citizens on actions they must take to protect themselves.  One way is to organize a neighborhood watch program.
10. Clubs support local police, courts and social agencies as they target 15-19 year olds which are the greatest demographic risk group.
11. Clubs support Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA & YWCA and other youth groups which foster family values.
12. Support police agencies which are in desperate need of bilingual officers.  encourage bonus pay for bilingual officers.  Rotary sponsor language programs to assist police officers.
13. Make sure the community is sponsoring the DARE program or other drug abuse prevention activities.
• DARE AMERICA OFFICES: PO Box 512090  Los Angeles CA 90051-0090  Glenn Levant, director: 1-800-223-DARE
• DARE Worldwide Headquarters:  Heather Block, Deputy Director  PO Box 601  Lewes, Delaware 19958  302-644-0733  Email: DAREINTL@AOL.com
14. Rotary sponsor proficiency in police departments to hopefully avoid police bias.  Honor those police departments which themselves promote tolerance and understanding between different cultures in the community.  Invite these officers to Rotary club meetings
15. Contact the state or province Attorney General's Office to gain information on their efforts to promote community oriented policing and problem solving.
16. Clubs explore matching funding for community based policing by PERF "Police Executive Research Forum" located in Washington D.C.
17. Support and encourage citizen and Rotarian participation in the local "Citizens Academy."  This program exposes the public to the work of the police department.  Program lasts for 12 weeks, one night a week, each session is three hours.  This concept is growing rapidly and is well attended.  The purpose is to better understand the police department and modern policing efforts.
18. Encourage leading experts to submit articles to The Rotarian, and other Rotary International regional magazines, on the subjects of crime reduction and violence prevention.
19. The Police Executive Research Forum has an excellent newsletter providing articles and debate on modern police techniques.  Contact Mr. Chuck Wexler, PERF Executive Director, 1120 Connecticut Ave NW. Suite 930, Washington D.C. 20036.
20. Create "Youth Centers Without Walls" providing activities for children, after school, at available school sites.  These centers use Rotary volunteers, parents, police officers, social workers and clergy, etc. to provide an alternative activity for children without parents at home.  This is a program sponsored by the Smithfield, Michigan USA Rotary Club.
21. Conduct a program to remove graffiti and discourage its use.  A project carried out by the Rotary Club of Covina, California, USA and other Rotary clubs.
22. Inform Rotary club members about street gangs, their activities and their impact upon a community.
23. Many Rotary clubs support police dog programs.
24. Review community need for jobs for individuals who are released from imprisonment.
25. Rotary provide a scholarship or exchange program for law enforcement which crosses international borders.  The sharing of experiences and ideas is of mutual interest worldwide.
26. Partnering with UNESCO to promote urban peace.  President Devlyn urges clubs and districts to network with the UN which has budgeted $500 million for this program "International Year for a Culture of Peace."  Rotary can be a catalyst in every community around the world to make this program happen.  Follow the successful long term model of Polio Plus for success.  Goal is safe and caring communities.  Contact: Rotarian Robert Steward, (stewart@peace.ca) for further information.
27. Coping with Bullying.  A program promoted by the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners.  Rotary district 1030 in the United Kingdom was so honored by receiving the "Rotary Coping with Life" international award from ISPCF.  Over 1,000 clubs in the UK have asked for information about the program.  Clubs and districts which wish to help children should contact Rotary  District 1030 by FAX (44-1325) 300128.

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