Crime Prevention

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Resources include the Crime Prevention merit badge worksheet Adobe Acrobat PDF, links, and cross-references to related badges and awards.  Prev  -  Next  

This is the Crime Prevention merit badge for Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers.
Scouts at all levels can earn the Crime Prevention Award
Crime Prevention requires prior counselor approval for requirement(s) #7b.

Crime Prevention merit badge
Status: Elective
Created: 1996
Discontinued: no
BSA Advancement ID: 131
Requirements revision: 2006
Latest pamphlet revision: 2008


Preventing crime, which can be as simple as reducing the opportuntities for crime to occur, is far less costly than apprehending and bringing legal action against those who break the law and it helps save people from the anguish of being victims.

Crime Prevention merit badge requirements

  1. Discuss the role and value of laws in society with regard to crime and crime prevention. Include in your discussion the definitions of "crime" and "crime prevention."
  2. Prepare a notebook of newspaper and other clippings that addresses crime and crime prevention efforts in your community.
  3. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    a. The role of citizens, including youth, in crime prevention
    b. Gangs and their impact on the community
    c. When and how to report a crime
  4. After doing EACH of the following, discuss with your counselor what you have learned.
    a. Inspect your neighborhood for opportunities that may lead to crime. Learn how to do a crime prevention survey.
    b. Using the checklist in this (the merit badge) pamphlet, conduct a security survey of your home and discuss the results with your family.
  5. Teach your family or patrol members how to protect themselves from crime at home. at school, in your community, and while traveling.
  6. Help raise awareness about one school safety issue facing students by doing ONE of the following:
    a. Create a poster for display on a school bulletin board.
    b. With permission from school officials, create a page long public service announcement that could be read over the public address system at school or posted on the school's Web site.
    c. Make a presentation to a group such as a Cub Scout den that addresses the issue.
  7. Do ONE of the following:
    a. 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.
    b. 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.
  8. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    a. How drug abuse awareness programs, such as "Drugs: A Deadly Game," help prevent crime
    b. Why alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are sometimes called "gateway drugs" and how "gateway drugs" can lead to the use of other drugs
    c. Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drug-related problem can go for help
    d. How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes
    e. How to recognize child abuse
    f. The three R's of Youth Protection
  9. Discuss the following with your counselor:
    a. The role of a sheriff's or police department in crime prevention.
    b. The purpose and operation of agencies in your community that help law enforcement personnel prevent crime, and how those agencies function during emergency situations.
    c. Explain the role private security plays in crime prevention.
    d. 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.


by an administrator.


Worksheet A FREE workbook for Crime Prevention is available here! Adobe Acrobat PDF
Or click here to print just the Crime Prevention requirements. has PDF and DOC versions of
Boy Scout merit badge workbooks,
Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

Requirement resources

1. Law Definition, Overview, History, etc. - Definiton of "Law" - Crime - Crime Prevention
3. The National Crime Prevention Council - Nat. Sheriffs' Association - Nat. McGruff House Network - Youth Crime Watch - Nat. School Safety Center
3b. Cops Office: Gangs From the Department of Justice
3c. Call 911 only when you need to - What to do if you see a crime
4. The Security Checklist you need is included in the Crime Prevention Worksheet.
5. & 6. Crime prevention: McGruff - Home - School - School Tips - Bullies - Community - Traveling - Traveling Abroad
6c. Presentation Links:

7a.Neighborhood Watch-Find your Neighborhood Watch-Crime Stoppers
8a. Order "Choose to Refuse" - Online Version - USScouts: Choose to Refuse - Drugs: A Deadly Game - DARE
8b. US DOH: "Smoking May Contribute to Increased Use of Cocaine and Heroin"

Gateway Drugs Lead to Cocaine Use
Alcohol And Tobacco: Two Dangerous Gateway Drugs
DARE: Gateway Drugs

8d. Sources on Drugs and Crime: US Dept of Justice - Whitehouse
8e. How to recognize child abuse - Another site-more
8f. The Three R's of Youth Protection
9. Sheriff - Wikipedia: Police
9d. Law Enforcement Careers - CopCareer.Com

Related awards

Emergency Preparedness-related awards
Profession-related awards

See also

Boy Scout portal
Varsity Scout portal
Venturing portal
General Merit Badge information

External links

Personal tools