The Stop Snitching Phenomenon: Breaking the Code of Silence

The threatening nature of the stop snitching message intimidates witnesses and erodes trust between communities and police by undermining police efforts to involve communities in preventing and combating crime. This also threatens police agencies' own ability to prevent and solve crime because it impedes investigations, arrests, and convictions, and could severely erode the criminal justice system. This report addresses the problem and includes case studies documenting successful law enforcement and community approaches that have been implemented.

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Federal Sponsor Agency: COPS

Provider: PERF

Publication Date: 2009