Law enforcement and the citizen: Non‐governmental participants in crime prevention and control

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Abstract
This article reviews various forms of public participation in crime control and criminal justice. Areas of activity in question include public participation in the formulation of criminal justice policy, citizen crime prevention and law enforcement auxiliary activity. Participants include those acting on a commercial or non‐profit basis in addition to volunteers. The article argues that a certain degree of citizen participation is desirable, contributing to a better informed citizenry and enhancing the legitimacy of institutions of criminal justice. Beyond an optimal point, however, further citizen activity might be regarded as undesirable, and may threaten privacy, interpersonal trust, and the rights of minorities.