"The reality is most cases are solved by you, the public,"
"You're not a snitch," Lee said. "You're a witness, and a witness, to me, is a hero."
We realize they can't tell us everything when things are under investigation, but we have the feeling that they could tell us more than they are, and help break down the resistance between the police and the community by being as open as they can be."
...

"The reality is most cases are solved by you, the public,"
"You're not a snitch," Lee said. "You're a witness, and a witness, to me, is a hero."
We realize they can't tell us everything when things are under investigation, but we have the feeling that they could tell us more than they are, and help break down the resistance between the police and the community by being as open as they can be."
Many people who often feel there is no point in cooperating with police because they believe officers already have enough information to solve a case.
" 'You know who did it. Now go do your job.' "
In recent years, even some older residents in the community had stopped helping police, either because of fear or apathy.
Detectives have witnessed more cooperation, a development in part to the new strategies, but also to new state and county programs.
Authorized funding for a witness protection program that pays for hotel stays, relocation, and even public housing outside of Boston. The program has enabled detectives to offer assurances to potential witnesses that they will be kept safe even if they testify.

Witness cooperation "is still a struggle, a real struggle," Lee said. "But I think it's changing."

http://learningpoints.org/serv...
As the diversity of communities change to multi-cultural synergies (Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders) and these populations grow and play a more dominant force in communities across the nation; law enforcement agencies are faced with a significant challenge. How to deal with the changing communities? How to overcome language barriers, cultural traditions, bias, and develop community outreach and trust? How does law enforcement define the boundaries of what the community expects and fears and what the agency is willing and capable of providing the new population?
Mistakes in building bridges are extremely difficult to repair and can take years to fix; in addition to the expense and political costs. It is essential that the right roads, the right bridges with the right leaders be built in advance of tactical action plans that affect these new community influences.