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National Crime Prevention Strategy

The National Crime Prevention Strategy is the Government of Canada's action plan to reduce crime by addressing its root causes in order to build stronger, healthier communities.

• Overview
• Objectives

Overview

The National Crime Prevention Strategy is built on the common sense principle that the surest way to reduce crime is to focus on the factors that put individuals at risk -- factors such as family violence, school problems and drug abuse. Its goal is to develop community-based responses to crime, with a particular emphasis on children and youth, Aboriginal people and women.

The National Crime Prevention Strategy provides communities with the tools, knowledge and support they need to deal with the causes of crime.

Phase I started in 1994. It provided a framework for coordinating a range of federal initiatives that emphasized a proactive and social development model for crime prevention. It also established the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC), whose work advanced a social development approach.

Phase II was launched in 1998. It built on the recommendations and the four years of consultation and policy work of the NCPC. It supported Canadian communities in undertaking crime prevention activities, primarily through the distribution of grants and contributions but also through the dissemination of "lessons learned." In other words, it enabled the Government of Canada to broaden its partnerships and help communities design and implement innovative and sustainable ways to prevent crime.

Objectives

• To promote partnerships between governments, businesses, community groups and individuals to reduce crime and victimization
• To assist communities in developing and implementing community-based solutions to local problems that contribute to crime and victimization
• To increase public awareness of, and support for, crime prevention
• To conduct research on crime prevention and establish best practices