STRIKING BACK
Grant strengthens reach of Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety

Crime is down significantly in today's society from where it was 10 to 20 years ago, says Charles Katz, ASU associate professor of criminology. But for those who have crime and violence in their neighborhoods, a climate of fear exists that can hurt families and destroy opportunity.

The largest single private gift in the 22-year history of ASU's West campus has been awarded to the two-year-old Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, to help reduce crime and violence in Arizona neighborhoods. A $3 million endowment from the Mike and Cindy Watts family will endow the directorship and allow the center to work collaboratively with local agencies.

At the Watts' request, the first initiative will be to examine crime in the Mary- vale section of Phoenix, their home community, says Katz, interim director of the center.

"In some areas of Maryvale there's a high gang presence, more firearm violence, and a large number of prisoners who have been released there," says Katz. "Within any marginalized community, there's some social disorganization. What we can do is call attention to the issues and needs, and to partner with the community so it can better leverage its existing resources."

Since its inception in 2005, the center has tackled several projects including examining sex offender clusters, evaluating the success of special courts, and gathering data on drug use, guns and gangs.

In a survey project of all persons arrested and brought to the county jail, for instance, nearly half tested positive for methamphetamines. Meth use is increasing, starting in the western part of the United STates and moving eastward, Katz says.

Arizona has a high property crime rate, driven by larceny and auto theft, in which the state leads the nation. Katz says many cars are stolen from malls, by unsupervised youths.

Despite the findings, "I would argue that our society is much better today than it ever has been," says Katz. "Crime is down, and we have intricate systems in our schools and our government to help people who are victims of crime."

The center works with police agencies throughout the Valley to help them be more effective in their responses to crime and delinquency, to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system, and to develop responses that are equitable. Because of a needs assessment by the center, 10 valley police departments soon will begin to share information, saving manpower and time.