Which police actions encourage participation of neighbors and citizens in increasing safety and well-being?

• A. Strict enforcement with no community contact
• B. Community policing
• C. Random stop-and-frisk
• D. Isolating the police from the neighborhood

Answer: (B)

Community policing centers on building partnerships with neighbors to enhance safety and well-being through joint problem-solving and ongoing engagement. By keeping regular contact, officers earn trust and legitimacy and tap into local knowledge, making residents more willing to share information, participate in safety initiatives, and collaborate on solutions that fit the community’s needs. This approach supports practical actions like neighborhood meetings, joint crime-prevention projects, and addressing root causes of problems, not just reacting to incidents.

Strict enforcement with no community contact tends to alienate residents and reduce cooperation. Random stop-and-frisk undermines trust and legitimacy and is unlikely to produce lasting safety gains. Isolating the police from the neighborhood cuts off the valuable information and support that communities provide.