In Springfield, Missouri, volunteers distributed manufacturer's coupons on products at a local grocery store chain. Customers could then purchase products that had these coupons attached to them, at full price, and the store would donate the coupon redemption money to the local police force's DARE program. This program raised $80,000 for DARE in two years.
("Police Share Creative Funding of Technology Experiences." National Institute of Justice Office of Law Enforcement Technology Commercialization. http://192.188.119.21/html/law/cr_fund.text. 17 Oct. 1997.

Here's an idea from Western Australia: "Police have recruited the creative talents of school students to send a powerful anti-drugs message to Western Australia's teenage population. Police Minister John Day said the students had decided that an 'easy to read' comic book style was the most appropriate way to convey information about drug awareness and the aftermath of dealing in drugs to teenagers. Two comic books . . . designed to appeal to different age groups have been prepared and 6000 copies will be distributed to schools, police stations and police alcohol and drug advisors. . . . The books clearly communicate to young people how drugs can lead to a criminal lifestyle by looking at the social consequences of a drug conviction. . . . It is a young person's resource developed by young people." (www.highway1.com.au/gov/cabinet/mediast/dg97-37/daycomic.html. 19 Oct. 1997.)

United Kingdom: "A simple yellow triangle fixed to car windows could prove a vital weapon in a police drive to deter joyriders and combat car crime. The brightly-colored stickers, which display the figure '25,' inform the police that the driver of the vehicle is unlikely to be aged under 25. If officers spot any youngster driving this vehicle, the symbol signals the car owner's permission for the police to stop the vehicle and to check the driver's identity." (www.newciv.org/transworld/BOV/V1/B1-87.html. 18 Oct. 1997.)

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Two Fort Lauderdale CPI Code Enforcement Officers are working with School Resource Officers on the idea of developing a teen court to help in the prevention of youth crime. (http://info.ci.ftlaud.fl.us/police/cpi.html. 18 Oct. 1997.)

Tired of being called when someone has dumped an old stove in the park? "Helping to link those in need with resources should be a natural function of any law enforcement agency," says Cape Girardeau office Charles Herbst.

He discovered that many residents did not know to call the parks department to have the neighborhood park mowed, or that the sanitation department would pick up trash left curbside for days, or that city departments could be called about overgrown weeds and abandoned cars. He developed a resource card that lists phone numbers for such resources as shelters, clinics, family support ant food distribution centers. It includes a comprehensive list of city departments. With a quick glance at their card, residents know who to call to request services, register complaints or to contact their local municipal court, police station or taxi company.

He says, "City departments are one of the most valuable and overlooked resources available to police departments and citizens; we just need to help spread the word." ("Maximizing Community Resources." Community Policing Exchange. Nov/Dec 1995.)

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