Hey there! Are you ready to jump into the second half of the Crime Prevention merit badge? If so, you’re in the right place. Learning about crime might seem like a spooky subject, but this knowledge will help to prevent you or your family from ever becoming victims. So, listen closely and get ready to learn!
You’ve reached part 2 of my ultimate guide to the Crime Prevention merit badge! If you’re new to ScoutSmarts, you should first check out part 1 for the answers to requirements 1-6 of the Crime Prevention merit badge.
In our last article, we covered a ton of useful topics, from planning a home inspection to learning why you shouldn’t associate with gangs. Still, there’s a lot of knowledge to go through in part 2 of this guide! You’re about to learn about the opioid epidemic, the role of police, and even more useful info!
It’s time to get back into it! Take a minute to closely review and think through requirements 6-9 of the Crime Prevention merit badge. Then, you’ll be ready to learn the answers to each requirement so that you can become a safer and more prepared member of your community!
What Are The Crime Prevention MB Answers?
- Do ONE of the following:
7a. Assist in the planning and organization of a crime prevention program in your community such as Neighborhood Watch, Community Watch, or Crime Stoppers. Explain how this program can benefit your neighborhood.
7b. With your parent’s and counselor’s approval, visit a jail or detention facility or a criminal court hearing. Discuss your experience with your counselor. - Discuss the following with your counselor:
8a. How drug abuse awareness programs help prevent crime
8b. Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes called “gateway drugs” and how “gateway drugs” can lead to the use of other drugs
8c. The potential consequences from the misuse of prescription drugs.
8d. How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes
8e. Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help
8f. How to recognize child abuse
8g. The three R’s of Youth Protection - Discuss the following with your counselor:
9a. The role of a sheriff’s or police department in crime prevention.
9b. The purpose and operation of agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel prevent crime, and how those agencies function during emergency situations.
9c. Explain the role private security plays in crime prevention.
9d. Choose a career in the crime prevention or security industry that interests you. Describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.
7b) With your parent’s and counselor’s approval, visit a jail or detention facility or a criminal court hearing. Discuss your experience with your counselor.
There’s no better way to understand the consequences of crime than to visit a jail or courtroom — it would certainly make anyone think twice about breaking the law! 😬 This could sound scary, but part of being a citizen is learning the inner workings of the criminal justice system.
Even people accused of a crime have important rights, and one of those is the right to a fair and public trial. This means that many court cases are open for the public to observe. The Federal Courts website can help you find out where to see lawyers, judges, and juries in action!
To visit a local jail, you can start by contacting your county sheriff’s office. They’ll want to know the purpose of your visit, and it may take them a while to process your request. Of course, when you visit, you will need to follow the jail’s safety rules! Find out ahead of time what you are allowed to wear or bring with you.
Understanding the Impact of Drug Abuse
8) Discuss the following with your counselor:
Drugs, both acquired legally and illegally, can be misused and ruin lives. Whether someone accidentally takes too much of a prescription or they’ve bought illegal drugs, both scenarios can be devastating. This has been extremely apparent over the last 20 years with the rise of the opioid epidemic.
In this requirement, we’ll be going over drug abuse awareness, gateway drugs, prescription abuse, illegal drugs, and how someone can get help if they’re addicted to drugs. Today, this is more important than ever. Drug abuse can destroy lives, so staying aware of the signs and being prepared is extremely important!
8a) How drug abuse awareness programs help prevent crime
Drug abuse awareness programs help prevent crime by teaching citizens the signs and dangers of substance abuse. Addiction can lead to theft as the user becomes more desperate for money to pay for their habit. Addicts also have a higher chance of committing other crimes like domestic abuse or assault.
D.A.R.E. has long been one of the biggest educators on drug abuse. Programs like D.A.R.E. try to teach kids about the dangers of drug abuse at a young age. The earlier a kid learns the consequences of abusing drugs, the more likely they will be to stay away from harmful substances.
8b) Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes called “gateway drugs” and how “gateway drugs” can lead to the use of other drugs
Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are often referred to as ‘gateway drugs’ because they are usually the first drugs many citizens are exposed to, usually before the legal age of consumption. You may live with people who smoke or drink legally, and have easy access to alcohol and tobacco.
People who start using these drugs at a young age will often look for a bigger “high.” This may lead to the use of harder drugs, which do increase that dopamine rush, but could lead to serious health issues besides simply being addicted. Additionally, the effect of a drug will lessen with time because of an increased tolerance, creating the dangerous situation of needing to take more for the same effect.
8c) The potential consequences from the misuse of prescription drugs
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one of the most significant issues facing law enforcement today is the misuse of prescription drugs such as painkillers and anti-anxiety medication. These drugs are safe when used as prescribed but can be addictive if misused.
Wonder how to prevent prescription opioid addiction? This video (1:31) from the Centers for Disease Control gives some great tips.
The opioid epidemic in America is often considered one of the biggest challenges our country faces in the 21st century. Drug overdoses have accounted for 700,000 deaths in the U.S. in the last 20 years. Make sure to communicate with your doctor, and if it’s not your prescription, don’t take it!
8d) How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes
Other than the adverse health effects of taking drugs, the illegal sale and use of drugs is a major contributor to other types of crime. This trail of drug-related criminal activity goes all the way from killings in drug cartels to a heroin addict who steals from their own family members.
It’s been said a few time before, but people who are addicted to drugs will do anything to get their next fix. This could include stealing money or valuables from a family member or stealing from medical facilities. Many addicts have criminal charges for other crimes related to their drug use.
8e) Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help
Drug abuse is a serious problem. Thankfully, there are many resources that can help people struggling with addiction. Your community may have a rehabilitation center specifically for addiction, but even if it doesn’t, there are still ways to get help.
Here are a few resources that can help people deal with substance abuse:
- A doctor: When a person is dealing with drug addiction, one of the first things they should do is see a doctor to determine how extensive their addiction is. A doctor can recommend the next treatment stage while also keeping an eye on medical vitals to prevent withdrawal from causing deadly complications.
- An Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting: These organizations are built for and by people who have overcome their addictions to drugs and alcohol. Having a support group of people who are going through the same thing is extremely useful when getting over addiction.
- A family member: Family can often act as a support network for those struggling with addiction as long as they don’t engage in enabling behavior. Confessing drug addiction to a close family member can be the first step to recovery for many people.
- SAMHSA’s national helpline: People with addiction and their families may feel paralyzed when they think about finding help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national helpline to connect people with services in their area.
No matter what situation a person is in, there are always resources available to help them out. If you know someone who is struggling with addiction, let them know that they are not alone and there are options available to support them! 🙂
8f) How to recognize child abuse
Child abuse is one of the most hidden forms of crime. Children are often too afraid or too vulnerable to report it. It is up to concerned citizens to watch for signs of abuse such as bruises, cigarette burns, or other unexplainable injuries. If these injuries are discovered, they should be reported to child protective services.
Helpful Links: Find out more about the local and national resources for reporting child abuse, and learn the signs of the abuse and neglect with this child welfare factsheet.
Sometimes, this abuse is harder to spot. If a child acts timid around adults, talks about inappropriate touching, or has a sudden change in behavior, make sure you have a conversation with another adult. Child abuse is one of the most heinous crimes out there and no child deserves to be abused!
8g) The ‘three R’s’ of youth protection
There are some adults who want to take advantage of a child’s vulnerability or innocence. This is an absolutely awful crime, but we must be aware that it does happen. This is why we, in Scouting, always follow the three R’s of youth protection, which help you identify abuse and know how to react.
The ‘three R’s’ of Youth Protection against child molestation are as follows:
- Recognize situations that could lead to molestation and recognize that molestation could be perpetrated by anyone, even a loved or trusted adult.
- Resist inappropriate sexual advances and physically move away from the person who is attempting them. Don’t be afraid to make noise and use self-defense.
- Report sexual harassment or inappropriate advances to law enforcement or another trusted adult, such as a parent or guardian.
The three R’s are important for every young person to know. Staying aware of potential situations where this type of abuse is possible is the first step in stopping it. However, abuse may still occur. No matter what, the person being abused is never at fault — the abuser is.
9) Discuss the following with your counselor:
There are a lot of people involved in crime prevention. Whether that be police officers, private security, or just vigilant citizens, it takes a lot to keep a community safe. Part of working on this merit badge is helping you become more aware of crime and what to do to prevent it.
In your final requirement, you’ll be going over the different roles of the police, other agencies, and private security in crime prevention. You’ll also find out more about how you can help stop crime, and what career opportunities there are in crime prevention. Let’s finish strong, Scout!
9a) The role of a sheriff’s or police department in crime prevention.
The police and sheriff’s department are one of the biggest contributors to crime prevention. Their job is to help citizens, respond to emergencies, and apprehend criminals. By patrolling neighborhoods and arresting criminals, they prevent those criminals from committing more crimes as well as stopping future criminals in neighborhoods.
If you want to know more about how your police or sheriff’s department helps stop crime, talk to your local department! They’re more than happy to provide answers on their role in your community and how you can help them to prevent crime.
9b) The purpose and operation of agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel prevent crime, and how those agencies function during emergency situations.
There are several different agencies within each community that help prevent crime. These can include first responders like firefighters and emergency medical services, or neighborhood groups like Crime Stoppers. They all fill different roles, from keeping an eye on the neighborhood to helping drug victims.
First responders are the first line of defense against the opioid epidemic. All of these professionals carry Narcan, a medication that saves lives by reversing an opioid overdose. First responders also provide prompt medical attention to the victims of violent crime.
We wish opioid overdoses never happened, but they do, and everyone should know how to prevent death from overdose. This short video (0:51) shows how Narcan is used to save lives!
Neighborhood watch organizations help by keeping a watchful eye on each neighborhood. They will alert their neighbors and the sheriff’s department of any strange activity, keeping local law enforcement updated on activities within neighborhoods.
9c) Explain the role private security plays in crime prevention.
Private security plays a big role in crime prevention. By standing guard at a private business, they are the first line of defense for that property. Whether they’re stopping a break-in, a fight, or vandalism, they’re always the first to know a crime.
These security professionals may work night shifts. While most people are asleep and businesses are closed, they stay alert for the possibility of crime. Their presence can discourage potential criminals from doing anything illegal as well.
9d) Choose a career in the crime prevention or security industry that interests you. Describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.
Becoming a police officer can be a difficult undertaking, but it is one of the most socially rewarding jobs you can fulfill in your community. Most police officers aren’t required to have a degree. Instead, they receive their qualifications through a police training academy.
People who want to pursue a more advanced law enforcement job with a federal agency should get at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. The average pay for a police officer is around $55,000 a year, while federal agents make around $115,000.
Some responsibilities of a police officer include:
- Documenting and stopping crimes in their community
- Participating in crime prevention programs to raise awareness
- Providing legal evidence for charging criminals and placing them within the legal system
Police officers may not get the highest pay, but they make many contributions to their communities. Working in law enforcement can be one of the most rewarding jobs a person can have. It is not an easy undertaking though, and isn’t for the faint of heart!
Conclusion
Congrats on finishing your Crime Prevention merit badge! With this knowledge, you should be more aware of the dangers that are out there, and more prepared to contact the right resources if you ever need help. Thank you for all that you’ll do to keep our communities safe in the future! 🙂
Also, if you’re interested in the difficulty rankings for every Eagle-required merit badge, you can check out my full guide here! PS: The article also links to my other ultimate badge guides that’ll help you complete your merit badge worksheets.
I hope you’ve found my guide helpful, and hope that it helped you to answer each requirement on your merit badge worksheet. Share this with your fellow Scouts, and use it as a reference if you ever need a refresher on crime prevention. Thanks for reading! Come back soon and, until next time, I’m wishing you all the best on your Scouting journey!
(Click here to return to part 1 of my guide to the Crime Prevention merit badge!)