SITE OVERVIEW ♦ ROCKDALE COUNTY | GEORGIA
Target Area: Fieldstone and County Walk Neighborhoods • Population: 85,900 (county)
Fiscal Agent: Rockdale County Board of Commissioners
Research Partner: Rockdale County
Crime Concerns: Gang-related crimes, youth violence, and violent crimes
BCJI Funding Year: 2014 Planning | 2016 Implementation
Neighborhood Profile
Located approximately 25 miles east of Atlanta, Rockdale County encompasses a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. Over the past few years, the BCJI target neighborhoods of Fieldstone and County Walk have experienced increases in juvenile crime and increases in the number of children living in poverty. In addition, the Rockdale County Public School System has faced challenges with overcrowding in schools and increases in juvenile risky behavior, including alcohol and drug use. Marijuana use in the state of Georgia was self-reported at a significantly higher rate among Rockdale High School students compared to youth in the rest of the state. Crime incidents in the target area have also increased, most notably in terms of armed robberies. Violent crimes committed by individuals over the age of 17 was also much higher in Rockdale County compared to the rest of the state.
Planning Process
The Rockdale County BCJI planning process began in 2013 with an effort to recruit and orient cross sector partners from local service organizations, non-profit organizations, faith-based community groups, local businesses, and a local university. Most significant were the efforts put forth to recruit members from the community. The Rockdale site hired a Community Resource Representative – someone already familiar with the community, its problems and its assets – to lead ongoing community engagement. Over the course of the planning period, 25 residents served on the lead planning task force and 100 community members completed surveys. In addition, the BCJI team performed a problem analysis using several data sources to identify crime types and criminal activity. Notable findings of the process included:
- There has been an increase in the number of calls for service reporting acts by juveniles. A spatial analysis revealed that juvenile activities overlap with a hot spot for Type I crimes along the back of the target neighborhood.
- There is a gang presence in the target neighborhood, specifically one gang which was implicated in drive-by shootings and other crime.
Blight and other environmental attributes of the community also appear to perpetuate the cycle of violence and hinder economic growth, specifically challenges in attracting new businesses.
Implementation Strategies
Starting in late 2016, with receipt of implementation funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, BCJI partners are implementing a variety of strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency, physical deterioration of the neighborhood, and crime. The aim of the selected strategies is to reduce apathy among residents while fostering collective efficacy and social cohesion. Highlights include:
- Establishing a Community Resource Center to provide community policing, county services, and programs for adults and youths.
- Project Green Box to provide places for youth to engage in activities or programs that promote healthy and safe behaviors.
- Operation Clean-up that allows members of the community to join representatives from law enforcement, code enforcement, legal services, and the sanitation department in developing or amending ordinances and addressing issues of visible trash and dumping.
- Community policing that enables Rockdale County Sheriff’s Officers to spend considerable time and effort in developing personal relationships with the community.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) has also been active in engaging residents in events to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement officers. For example, the RCSO has hosted several block parties each year with support from the BCJI team.
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