Strategic Spartanburg

The following Best Practice Strategies were provided by the Clemson Univeristy's Regional Economic Development Research Laboratory in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics.

Examples of Suggested Programs for Reducing Juvenile Crime
• Support and strengthen the local core institutions (family, schools, religious institutions, and community groups) that instill values and create law-abiding citizens.
• Develop a range of tough but fair sanctions that emphasize discipline and responsibility to deter nonviolent first-time offenders (e.g., “boot camp,” outward bound experiences, community service).
• Encourage community planning and design that promote crime prevention through (a) landscaping and lighting that promote natural surveillance, and (b) mixed-use approaches that encourage more “eyes on the street” day and night.
• Support early childhood intervention programs (see Goal 4). Research finds that children who attended intensive pre-school programs are less likely to be arrested than poor children who did not participate in such programs.
• Support child abuse and neglect prevention programs (see Goal 4). Child abuse increases the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by over 50%.
• Support after-school programs and community-based services such as YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, recreation leagues, etc. These programs provide a safe haven plus they promote pro-social values and self-esteem.
• Reduce the likelihood of prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs through education and outreach programs for expectant women (see Goal 5).
• Provide parent-child training programs designed to improve parenting skills and respond to children with problem behavior.
• Provide alcohol and drug rehabilitation assistance, counseling, and educational opportunities (in community and in juvenile detention centers).
• Institute a bullying prevention program in elementary and junior high school settings.
• Increase efforts to reduce drug trafficking and criminal activity in areas where children and youth congregate (schools, parks, shopping centers, etc.)
• Institute rehabilitative programs in the juvenile justice system that prepare the individual to re-enter society (e.g., counseling, education, job training, drug rehabilitation).

Programs to Reduce Traffic Incidences and Increase Highway Safety Fall in Three General Areas: Engineering/Planning, Enforcement, Education.

a. Engineering/Planning programs include efforts to improve automobile safety features and local roadway design and maintenance programs. Examples of innovative local programs are roadside traffic management systems that are designed to optimize traffic flows and decrease driver stress through:
• Traffic signal coordination systems
• Compliance – enforcing devices like video cameras
• Variable message signs with information on road conditions
• Roadside lighting systems that adjust to weather and road conditions
• Traffic control devices such as ramp signal systems

b. Enforcement of traffic regulations is critical for changing the human behaviors that contribute to many traffic accidents and fatalities (e.g., speeding, aggressive driving, cell phone usage, drinking and driving, and unsafe automobiles)

c. Education programs and safety campaigns may be used to enlighten the public regarding such topics as defensive driving; dangers of cell phone use and alcohol-impaired driving; safety precautions for pedestrians, bicycle riders, and motorcycle riders; and automobile maintenance for safety.