Crime Prevention through Social Development

What is it?

Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPSD) is an approach to preventing crime and victimization that recognizes the complex social, economic, and cultural processes that contribute to crime and victimization. CPSD seeks to strengthen the “bridge” between criminal justice policies, programs and the safe, secure, and pro-social development of individuals, families, and communities. CPSD does this by tackling factors contributing to crime and victimization.

While recognizing that societal influences such as poverty, gender inequality, media violence, racism and discrimination are part of the crime prevention context, CPSD tends to concentrate on secondary prevention measures. Some key examples include:

• inadequate living conditions, such as poor housing and unstable situations;
• family factors, such as family poverty, family size, poor or inadequate parenting, parental criminality, and parental substance abuse;
• individual personality and behavioural factors, such as “cognitive deficits” including a lack of problem-solving skills, self-control, critical reasoning, judgment and failure to consider the consequences of behaviour, hyperactivity, as well as the early onset of aggressive behaviour;
• peer association, such as relationships with friends who follow a delinquent/criminal lifestyle;
• school-related factors, such as poor educational achievement and truancy, as well as deficient school environments, and exclusionary policies;
• employment opportunities, such as a lack of training and employment.

CPSD makes connections beyond the traditional criminal justice sphere by recognizing the important role that policies, programs and services such as social housing, education, health, income security and social services play in preventing crime. At the same time, CPSD does not function in isolation from traditional crime prevention and crime control measures.

Individuals wishing more information on the Nova Scotia RCMP's CPSD program should contact the Community Policing Office at (902) 426-2301.