TEACHING NEIGHBORHOODS HOW TO FIGHT BACK

One of the Marc Klaas Foundation's most successful programs is the National Community Empowerment Program (NCEP), which focuses on organizing and training communities to help prevent crimes before they have a chance to happen. Working closely with local law enforcement, neighborhoods

and communities plan activities and actions that make crime so uncomfortable in their area that lawbreakers are put out of action.

Led by community safety specialist Janice Gomes, over 25 California communities in six months have already made themselves into effective community watches and safety committees. "Neighborhood by neighborhood and house by house, ordinary people can learn to alert each other and watch for potential crimes," says Gomes.

She describes a recent exciting chase in a San Francisco East Bay neighborhood, when NCEP members realized that two young men had broken into a nearby house. By nonviolently blocking all paths to escape, they were able to delay the men until police arrived and arrested them. Gomes stresses, however that the Foundation does not support vigilantes. "We're hearing from career criminals that these kinds of programs gradually squeeze them out," she says. "Committing crimes in a neighborhood that is empowered to resist nonviolently becomes harder and harder, without having confrontations that risk people's lives."

Reaction to NCEP has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Group meetings of up to 1,000 community leaders, parents, children, law enforcement officials - even gang members and ex- criminals--have helped build a movement that is inspiring every one to take part. The Foundation coordinates NCEP through safety materials, workshops, support and advice, and a training package. For more information, call (415) 331-6867.