The Virginia Crime Prevention Association, Inc. (VCPA) is a 501C-3 non-profit organization that was established in 1978. The mission of the VCPA is to develop and implement programs that prevent crime by focusing on reducing opportunities for crime. The VCPA partners with law enforcement, community groups, schools businesses, public housing, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, the Virginia State Police, the National Crime Prevention Council and other organizations to deliver programs and services. Services include training, technical assistance, program development, advocacy and resource material.

The VCPA currently has 550 members. From 2005 to 2007, the VCPA organized and conducted 99 training courses and made 32 significant presentations. The VCPA reached 4,094 individuals from 200 different localities and organizations, while providing 1,420 hours or 178 days of training and education. Local and state law enforcement agencies, businesses and other organizations committed staff to 43,885 man-hours of training, with an estimated value of $1,316,550. The VCPA estimates that these services saved local and state law enforcement agencies and other organizations $300,000 in annual training costs.

The VCPA has extensive experience in developing and providing training and technical assistance in the following areas: Neighborhood Watch; Resident Patrols, threat and security assessments; personal safety; child safety; school safety; workplace safety; business security; police services in public and assisted housing; security lighting; security hardware; Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED); crime analysis and crime prevention planning. The VCPA is served by a volunteer board of directors and is managed by an executive director.

Training

The VCPA provides a wide range of training services, including basic, advanced, and specialized courses. It can also respond to specific training needs of an agency or organization. The length of courses range from one to five days - 2008 Training Schedule.

Courses include:

• Basic Crime Prevention
• Business Crime Prevention
• CPTED - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Identity Theft
• Nuisance Abatement
• Refuse to be a Victim Personal Safety
• Security Lighting
• Security Locks (in partnership with MEDECO Locks)
• Understanding Alarm Systems

A variety of consulting services are available from the VCPA. In many instances services are provided at no cost. In other instances, it is necessary for the VCPA to pass along the cost of providing service to the recipient. This is especially true for long-term projects and those not supported by an existing VCPA contract or grant.

Some of the consulting services include:

• General Crime Prevention Services
• Neighborhood Watch
• Safety and Security Assessments
• Managing Crime Prevention
• Schools Safety
• Businesses and Workplace Safety
• Public Housing Safety
• Resident Patrols
• Crime Control Planning Committees
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Evaluation
• Resource Material

Brochures:

The VCPA prints and distributes free crime prevention material for law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations and community groups. In addition to brochures on Neighborhood Watch, the VCPA the following crime prevention brochures and program guides are available online at Crime Prevention Brochures.

• Neighborhood Watch
• Home Security
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Business Security
• Talking With Your Kids About Drugs
• At Home Alone - A Parent's Guide
• Cyber-Safety For Children
• Raising Streetwise Kids (child safety)
• Safer Seniors
• Crime Prevention for People with Disabilities

Program Guides:

• Neighborhood Watch Program Guide
• Crime Prevention Planning
• Crime Prevention Standards for Law Enforcement
• Volunteer Resident Patrols in Public Housing
• Community Assessment of Safety and Security