ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter, we discussed the meaning of community. It was noted that although we often envision the existence of a community or numerous communities, the envisioned areas are often disorganized to the point that they cannot be distinguished or considered real communities. Such areas are comprised of people with no inter-connectiveness. The areas have no leadership and few informal mechanisms for social control. They often are awash with poverty and crime. We attempted to demonstrate that the police often face significant problems in such areas, especially when attempting to organize the community to participate in crime prevention and social control activities. In many cases, the police must engage in community building and development. They must endeavor to build an area's ability to develop a sense of community
and to work with people to solve social problems. Viable communities must have a social fiber, a human network, an economic foundation, and political organization.
