Professional Documents
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National Strategy On Urban Crime Prevention in Tanzania
National Strategy On Urban Crime Prevention in Tanzania
National Strategy On Urban Crime Prevention in Tanzania
ON URBAN CRIME
PREVENTION IN
TANZANIA
The Safer Cities Dar es Salaam project has mobilized communities in implementing local crime
prevention initiatives, including the development of the sungusungu (citizen crime prevention
patrols), the re-vitalisation of the ward tribunal system, and the establishment of the Auxiliary
Police. It has also implemented safety audit tools and supported income generating projects for
groups at risk. Having contributed toward a decrease in victimisation rates in Dar es Salaam
between 2000 to 2003 the programme was rolled out onto other cities and towns in Tanzania
with the invaluable support of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). In this
phase of national instutionalisation and replication, nine other towns (Arusha, Bagamoyo,
Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza, Moshi, Tanga, Morogoro and Iringa) have adopted the safer cities
approach and developed their own local crime and violence prevention strategies.
This publication of the national strategy is a important milestone in the development of national
capacity to support local crime prevention initiatives in the country. The Safer Cities Tanzania
Programme is now institutionalised within Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration
and Local Government (PMO-RALG), which is determined to provide continuous support and
guidance in order to make Tanzania an example worth emulating by other countries with regards
to promoting urban safety.
Anna K. Tibaijuka
Under Secretary General of the United Nations
Executive Director, UN-HABITAT
Foreword
The main objective of the Safer Cities initiative is to strengthen the capacities of local government
authorities to address issues of safety and security in their areas of jurisdictions thus enabling
them to deliver one of the basic functions of the local government authorities as required by the
Local Government laws that of maintenance of peace, order and tranquility in their respective
areas.
The National Strategy for Urban Crime Prevention is an important working tool whose primary
objective is to build safe local environments where citizens are assured of living in peace and
harmony, without fear of crime or domestic violence and where there will be security for their
property in order to achieve sustainable development.
The strategy must therefore be implemented diligently by involving all key actors and stakeholders
in order to establish linkages with other ongoing processes and Programmes such as the Local
Government Reform Programme, the Urban Development and Environment Management and
Community Policing.
The strategy has to outline the main output, resources and actors to ensure achievement
while it recognize that safety and security touch upon all aspects of human lives. Therefore,
the participation of all actors in the development of this strategy is highly commendable. The
strategy will become an important reference document to all actors including the communities
while Local Government Authorities in Dar es Salaam remain an important resource center for
all local government authorities in Tanzania to learn from their rich lessons and experiences.
The Government therefore, commits itself to create an enabling environment to enable all actors
to invest and contribute to matters of safety and security of our cities and communities.
Lastly, I would like to reiterate that security of the people and their property is increasingly
becoming an important agenda in development. I therefore call upon every individual to take
part in ensuring there is peace, order and tranquility upon which our nation of the present and
future generations will prosper.
TARISHI, M.K.
PERMANENT SECRETARY, PRIME MINISTER S OFFICE,
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Table of Contents
FOREWORD 3
4.5 The Role of Communities 24
4.6 Role of Anchor and other Training Institutions 24
4.7 Role of Development Partners: 25
References: 32
National Strategy on Urban Crime Prevention in
Tanzania:
1.0 Introduction and Definition have led over 70% of the population to change
of Key Concepts: their behaviour due to feelings of insecurity.
Half the population living in urban centres Insecurity cannot be reduced simply to issues
in Tanzania feel that crime and violence has of crime and violence. Crime and people’s
increased over the past three years, compared to anxieties about crime and violence are catalysts
only 28% in rural areas. There is an increasing for a more widespread and generalised feeling of
proliferation of drugs, alcohol and small arms insecurity with regard to quality of life. Fear of
in urban centres. Persistent unemployment, violence has come to symbolise all other fears:
ethnic, racial and religious conflicts, domestic economic and social impoverishments, ethnic
violence, violence against women and abuse and cultural conflicts, domestic violence, etc.
and neglect of children continue to threaten Crime and violence are significant economic,
certain communities and maintain a culture social welfare, health and governance issues.
of violence. Theft of personal property and
home burglaries are the most common crimes Community safety, on the other hand, is
overall. Less than half the crimes that were a basic human right. It is a public good
surveyed were reported to the police. that determines quality of life. Many
factors negatively influence people’s sense
One of the most common reasons for not of community safety. Everyone has a
reporting to the police was that they were responsibility to make communities safer. No
unavailable or inaccessible. Many victims also
stated that the crime was not important enough
A. Stavrou and J. O’Riordan, Victimisation in
to warrant reporting to the authorities. Nearly Tanzania – Surveys of crime in Arusha, Dar es
two-thirds of the victims reported the crime Salaam and Mtwara, 2003
to a structure other than the police: mostly Habitat II Declaration, Istanbul, 1996,
traditional authorities, local ward councilors ECOSOC Resolution, Habitat Agenda par. 123
Vanderschueren, Background Paper, Durban,
and the (sungusungu). These phenomenons 2003
single agency can address crime and safety fear, hinders mobility and may be a major
problems on its own. Crime prevention and stumbling block for participation, social
community safety strategies need to be adapted cohesion, and full citizenship. Furthermore,
to local needs on the basis of good analysis and insecurity erodes the social capital of the poor
targeted plans. Adequate capacities need to be and the social fragmentation results in a decline
built at the local level, including those for the in social cohesion and an increase in social
measurement of progress and performance. exclusion. Social exclusion prevents certain
groups from equal and effective participation
Security challenges are becoming more in the social, economic, cultural, and political
complex and a plethora of various actors are life. There is a close connection between social
attempting to play a role in addressing such exclusion and poverty. Most of the excluded
insecurities. There is an attempt to broaden the groups – e.g. women, children and youth, the
focus to include the security of people; so called elderly, widows, and AIDS sufferers - are cut
“human security” which means protecting off from networks that provide access to power
vital freedoms. Protecting people from critical and resources, making them vulnerable and
and threatening situations, building on their increasing their risk of being poor. The vicious
strengths, demands an integrated approach. cycle of poverty leads to social stigmatization
Human security connects different types of and marginalization from institutions, leading
freedoms - freedom from want, freedom from to greater poverty, having a profound negative
fear and freedom to take action. To achieve impact on quality of life.a
these freedoms there are two general strategies:
protection and empowerment. Protection At the community level, social cohesion
requires effort to develop norms, processes is an asset that provides security, regulates
and institutions that systematically address behaviour, and improves the standard of living
insecurities. Empowerment enables people to of the community as a whole. Social cohesion
become full participants in decision-making. and civic engagement are preconditions for
Protection and empowerment are mutually better schools, safer streets, faster economic
reinforcing, giving people the building growth, more effective government, and
blocks of survival, dignity and livelihood and healthier lives. This is why crime prevention
enabling people to participate in governance strategies must be focused on enhancing social
and make their voices heard. From an urban inclusion, and engaging marginalized groups
development perspective this requires building as assets, not treating them as liabilities, within
strong institutions, establishing the rule of law their communities. This is especially the case
and empowering people. with young people under the age of 30 who
often make up over 70% of the population
Crime, violence and insecurity present of communities. Within their meaningful
major challenges for the social and economic engagement and active involvement, crime
development of cities and towns. Delinquency prevention strategies will be less effective.
and violence in urban areas is no longer viewed Two general approaches can be utilized to
exclusively as a criminal problem but also advance the security of people. On the one
as a real developmental problem. Insecurity hand, government can increase protective
contributes to the isolation of groups and measures such as police manpower, prison
to the stigmatisation of neighbourhoods, sentences, and “zero tolerance” measures,
particularly those containing the poor and which include curfews for minors or the
more vulnerable. It creates conditions of lowering of the age of legal responsibility.
On the other hand, government can employ
Outline of the Report of the Commission on prevention based strategies which involve the
Human Security decentralisation of the fight against insecurity
through the delegation of police responsibility authorities have a key role to play in promoting
either to local authorities or civil society community-wide crime prevention through
associations or both. Local authorities have partnerships with other actors. Community
a key role to play in providing safety to their involvement and participation in crime
inhabitants, not only because it is stipulated in prevention initiatives is the cornerstone of
law, but local governments are accessible and the Safer Cities approach. The global strategy
accountable to the people, and they provide aims to address the causes and also to address
services to the people. factors in the social and physical living
environments that can deter or encourage
1.1 The Safer Cities approach: crime and violence.
The Safer Cities approach focuses on A special focus of the approach targets
building capacities at City and Municipal youth development programs, such as drug
level to address crime and insecurity and on rehabilitation programs and engaging youth
establishing a crime prevention culture. The in various activities e.g. sports or community
safer Cities approach focuses on three main service activities that meaningfully engage
areas of intervention: youth and create the environment for them to
• Institutional prevention – which focuses become active citizens who can effect positive
on alternative forms of justice and law change.. Targeted interventions on family,
enforcement youth employment, safe school and safe
• Safer design, planning and management neighbourhoods backed-up by pragmatic local
of public and semi-public spaces – level policies supported by comprehensive
making public spaces safer for people to national policies and prioritized and diversified
interact and businesses to flourish. programs tailored to suit local conditions are
• Social crime and violence prevention necessary to achieve the strategic objectives of
– focusing on marginalized groups, crime prevention.
groups at risk or vulnerable groups
and empowering them through various The Safer Cities approach contributes to the
activities. overarching goal of sustainable urbanization
promoting good urban governance, appropriate
The global strategy for safety and security urban management and planning, in order to
is based on the underlying principles that reduce and ultimately prevent the incidents
public safety is a right for all, that crime and and impacts of urban crime and violence.
violence have a severe and negative impact on Sustainable urbanization is an integrated/
urban development, livelihoods and quality holistic approach to urban development
of life in general and that local government encompassing social, environmental and
economic dimensions. Urban safety and crime
Women participation/involvement in crime prevention strategies through Safety audit for women.
prevention are strategic areas of intervention
and key components of good governance
and safer neighbourhoods offering key
entry points for ensuring sustainable urban
development and inclusive governance.
1.2 National Context on urban Safety and security is everyone’s right. The
Constitution of the United Republic of
crime prevention:
Tanzania 1977 (URT 1998) attaches great
significance to the safety and security of all
WWith a population of 38,983,135 million
persons. Article 13 of the constitution asserts
people (URT 2006), Tanzania mainland is
the equality of all persons before the law
divided into 21 Regions (Fig. 1) and there are
and guarantees their entitlement, without
133 local government authorities. According
discrimination to protection before the law.
to the Local Government (District Authorities)
Article 14 recognizes the right of every person
Act No 7 and the Local Government (Urban
“to live and to the protection of his life by
Authorities) Act No. 8 both of 1982, there
the society in accordance with the law” while
are two broad categories of local government
Article 16 reiterates the right of every person
authorities in Tanzania, namely 106 District
“to respect and protection of his person, the
Councils which incorporate Township
privacy of his own person, his family and of his
Authorities and Minor Settlements; and
matrimonial life, and respect and protection
Urban Authorities which include four (4) City
of his residence and private communications.”
Councils, 17 Municipal Councils and six (6)
These constitutional guarantees to personal
Town Councils.
safety and security place high demands on the
state and on local government authorities, and
the constitution in Article 147 further assigns
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the responsibility “to ensure the enforcement 1.3 Dar es Salaam Safer Cities
of law and public safety of the people” as one Program:
of the three key functions of local government
authorities.
Safer Cities Dar es Salaam was initiated in
The national strategy for crime prevention 1997 and launched in 1998 by the then Dar
must take cognizance of the Millennium es Salaam City Commission and later, (2002)
Development Goals 2015 and all national institutionalized into the four Dar es Salaam
policies that have a bearing on safety and local government authorities: Dar es Salaam
security. Tanzania has about 63 national City Council and the municipalities of Ilala,
policies. The main policies that provide Kinondoni and Temeke. The objectives of
guidance on urban crime prevention include Safer Cities Dar es Salaam were to build
Tanzania Development Vision 2025, National capacities at city and municipal level to address
Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty crime and insecurity; and to contribute to the
(Mkakati wa Kukuza Uchumi na Kupunguza establishment of crime prevention culture
Umaskini Tanzania - MKUKUTA), National and adherence to law. Four (4) strategies
Gender Policy of 1999, the National HIV/Aids were identified by stakeholders as key to the
Policy of 2001, the National Environmental realization of the programme objectives.
Policy of 1997, the National Human These included institutional capacity building;
Settlements Development Policy (NHSDP) support to community crime prevention
of 2000 and several Sector policies. Local initiatives, with special emphasis on security
government authorities have a responsibility groups, groups at risk and victimized (women,
to implement all of the policies. youth, and children); strengthening law
enforcement; and documenting best practices
Policy is executed by legislative enactment and support to other local government
that includes Local Government Acts No. 7 authorities in the country. The following
and 8 of 1982 being the principle legislation activities were undertaken during the
governing urban local government authorities implementation:
in Tanzania. In Section 62, Subsections (1) &.
(5), the Act lists six functions of the urban local • Sensitization and awareness creation;
government authorities of which the first is ‘to Establishment of Safer Cities units in
maintain and facilitate peace, order and good the four local government authorities,
governance’. The Police Force and Auxiliary networking and collaboration with other
Service Act, 2002, the Ward Tribunals Act agencies; and Youth integration into Dar
No. 7 of 1985 and the Peoples Militia Laws, es Salaam local government authorities
1975 (and Miscellaneous Amendment) Act, • Development of income generating
1989 are equally instrumental. The Regional projects for women, youth, and the
Administration Act No. 19 of 1997 is victimized; safety audits for women;
important in enhancing local autonomy of support to neighbourhood watch groups
the local government authorities in relation (‘Sungusungu’); and support to young
to the regional and district authorities, The victims of drug abuse
Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, 1998 • Facilitating establishment of the initial
is important in addressing crime and violence group of Dar es Salaam Auxiliary Police
against women and children while the Land Unit in the four local government
Use Planning Act 2007 impacts on the urban authorities of Dar es Salaam and the
built environment which can either deter or revival of Ward Tribunals in the 73 wards
facilitate crime. of Dar es Salaam
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• Awareness seminars through the then Safer Cities Dar es Salaam achievements
Urban authorities Services Unit (UASU) range from skills and institutional capacity
in Mbeya, Arusha and Morogoro development in the four local government
local government authorities (1999); authorities of Dar es Salaam, accumulation
evaluation of project activities and the of knowledge, lessons and experiences for
project itself (2003/04); consultation sharing, revival of ward Tribunals in all 73
workshops on piloting/rolling out to wards in the city and formation of the Dar
seven other local government authorities es Salaam Auxiliary Police Unit, all of which
(2005/06) enabled the city to be presented with several
• The Dar es Salaam One Stop Youth international awards, to successful rolling out
Resource Centre, is a prevention model this experience to seven other local government
that focuses on providing youth a safe authorities in the country with two more in
community centre to increase their the process of initiating the program. This
skills, access services, and organize youth experience and success provides a solid basis
led programs and projects. for the national strategy on urban safety and
security.
Law and safety enforcement through visible policing: Inauguration parade of Dar es Salaam Auxiliary
Police (2001)
12
1.4 The National Task Force: This document constitutes the first national
strategy for crime prevention relying on
A National Task Force was established and lessons learnt from the experience of the Dar
mandated to prepare a national strategy on es Salaam Safer Cities Programme, experience
urban crime prevention for Tanzania. This from other countries such as Canada, and the
task force was to consider the broad concept UN-HABITAT global strategy. The national
of safety and security informed by the global strategy takes into account the needs of each
definition, the local experience and realities in local government authority as well as the
Tanzanian Local Authorities. The Task Force needs of diverse groups and communities.
made reference to the constitution of the The key outputs that are expected from the
United Republic of Tanzania 1977 and the implementation of this strategy are:
Local Government Acts, which stipulate that • reduced crime and violence rates
peace, safety and security is one of the basic • increased public awareness of crime and
functions of local government authorities. safety
• increased local capacity to prevent crime
through partnerships and participatory
engagements.
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2.0 National Strategy for Urban Crime Prevention
14
3.0 Strategic Interventions:
15
3.1.1 Strategic Interventionb1: 5. Implement community policing and
Strengthening law neighborhood watch program
enforcement for crime 6. Revival and strengthening Ward
prevention: Tribunals in all wards. This is
an instrument of community
Statement of problem: Demands placed on participation in the justice system
the police have been subject to considerable with authority to investigate and
modifications. City residents demand pass judgment. Though the Ward
increased control over ‘antisocial’ behaviour tribunal has powers to impose a fine
and occupation of public space considered or require compensation to be paid
‘harmful’ or a nuisance, behaviours related within limits prescribed in the Act,
directly or indirectly to the more widespread its primary purpose is to foster peace
availability and use of alcohol or illicit drugs and harmony within community by
have led to an increased demand for police reconciliation rather than by punitive
intervention. Demand for police intervention action.
in cases of family violence and sexual 7. Creating conciliatory agencies at local
offences against children has also become level for resolution of petty disputes
more significant. The growing complexity of and replacing punitive system
crime problems often requires new skills and with preventive, rehabilitative and
approaches. The environment in which police compensatory systems
operate has also changed. The increasing 8. Establishing national and local crime
importance of private security companies prevention structures and creating
may outnumber the public police services/ a National Center for Prevention of
forces and this has created a new dynamic Crime
of competition between the various policing 9. Strengthening control of illegal drugs
organizations. One of the key methods that has and small arms.
been used recently is partnership or working
in co-operation with other organizations to
produce public security (justice, schools, social 3.1.2 Strategic Intervention 2:
and health services, civil society and private Ensuring positive engagement
security actors) which play an increasingly of the urban Youth:
important role in providing safety for the
citizens. Strengthening law enforcement will Statement of the problem: Urban youth
be achieved through the following: unemployment and juvenile delinquency
contribute significantly to rising crime rates
1. Harmonize and update conflicting in urban areas. Out of school youth who are
and outdated legislations often too young to be gainfully employed, or
2. Establish Auxiliary Police Units in lack necessary skills, capital or opportunities
all local government authorities for self-employment become idle and easily
under Section 126 of the Police and gravitate into drug abuse, violent and anti-social
Auxiliary Police Force Act 2002 behavior and crime. The lack of employment
3. Establishment, support and is exacerbated by inadequate and/or lacking of
regularization of the Militia and recreational facilities and where they exist, the
‘Sungusungu’ groups with police few recreational facilities that are available are
cooperation not fully utilized, leading to boredom which is
4. Police participating in local prevention a recipe for criminal behavior. Youths’ idleness
councils or local public security is manifest in existence of criminally potential
forums.
16
“Vijiwe” and “Youth Camps,” some of which electronic surveillance cameras and private
activities are not well known. To ensure that security guards. Poor management of land
youth will be engaged positively: use plans and bad design of streets and public
spaces contribute to crime and violence in
1. Expansion of secondary and vocational urban areas. Streets and public spaces that are
education facilities to nurture the not visible from adjoining buildings or which
youth beyond the primary school are unlit are generally unsafe and encourage
age and to equip them with adequate crime. Inadequate infrastructure especially
knowledge and skills for gainful in unplanned and un-serviced settlements
employment which constitute 60-75% of towns and cities
2. Integration of the Youth into Local in Tanzania and overcrowding creates fertile
government authority activities and conditions for crime and violence. Poor access
management structure e.g. youth to water and to community facilities force
councils women and children to travel long distances
3. Creating urban Youth employment thus increasing their exposure to crime. The
opportunities through gainful self absence of street names and street addressing
employment activities make it difficult to report crime and to respond
4. Provide adequate space and other and provide timely rescue. The environment
facilities for sports and other recreation can play a significant role in influencing
activities for the youth, perceptions of safety. Certain environments
5. Promoting sports as an industry for impart a feeling of safety, while others induce
youth employment, fear, even in areas where levels of crime are
6. Provide support to youth victims not high. In this regard, planning and design
of drug abuse for treatment, measures can be utilized very successfully
rehabilitation and reintegration into to enhance feelings of safety in areas where
social life people feel vulnerable. To improve the urban
7. Involve the youth in community environment and thus enhance safety and
policing and other safety and security security the following activities will be key:
initiatives
1. Improving the urban environment
3.1.3 Strategic Interventiongd3: through better physical planning,
Improving Urban design and management of public
Environments to enhance safety space
and security: 2. In collaboration with private sector,
improve derelict parts of cities
3. Invest in upgrading of unplanned and
Statement of the problem: The fear of
un-serviced settlements
crime has led to increased fragmentation
4. Provide street lighting and implement
and polarization of urban communities,
a proper street naming and street
characterized by segregation through gated
addressing system
communities, stigmatization and exclusion.
5. Involve communities in the urban
b
Insecurity can result in the abandonment
planning and design process and in
and stigmatization of certain neighbourhoods
plan execution, e.g. through safety
and the development of an “architecture of
audits especially for women, children,
fear” and the gradual establishment of so-
youth and other vulnerable groups
called “fortress-cities” where response to crime
6. To cultivate a culture of maintenance
has led to spatial transformation that has
of infrastructure and services and
changed cities into protected enclaves and
prevent vandalism
“no-go areas” separated by high walls, gates,
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3.1.4 Strategic Intervention 4: institutions and others to address
Improving the social and underlying causes of crime such
economic conditions of urban as unemployment, lack of income
residents: generation opportunities or skills
4. Care and treatment of HIV/AIDS
Statement of the problem: There are several infected persons
complex social, economic and cultural factors 5. Empower women and promote
that can contribute to urban crime and gender equality
victimization including widespread poverty 6. Empowering the community and
and growing income disparities; gender-based leaders in the community to be able to
violence, the impact of HIV/AIDS with deal with the issue of gender violence
the attendant growing number of orphans, 7. Promoting private sector involvement
street children and beggars; homelessness in community safety initiatives
and overcrowding. Lack of traditional clan
and extended family based social security
systems in urban situations which could offer 3.2 Strategic Objective 2:
protection to the vulnerable sections exacerbate Enhancing implementation
the conditions. To improve the social and capacity:
economic conditions of urban residents the
following activities will be promoted: The second objective relates to capacities and
competences that are required to implement
1. Identify vulnerable groups and design and to coordinate safety and security programs
community based social safety nets at the local and national levels. These include
2. Develop income generating projects knowledge, human and financial resources
for women, victimized persons and that need to be mobilized and managed so as
vulnerable groups to provide safety for all in an integrated and
3. Strengthen social prevention initiatives co-ordinated fashion.
by local government authorities, non-
governmental agencies, religious
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3.2.1 Strategic Intervention 5: Dar es Salaam and other urban local
Development and sharing government authorities through
of knowledge on crime the Safer Cities project particularly
prevention approaches and in involving stakeholders and
experiences. communities;
6 Involve anchor institutions in crime
prevention research,
Statement of the problem: Knowledge
7 Make an evaluation of project
management which involves gathering,
activities to correct mistakes and
interpretation and exchange of knowledge
improve performance,
will be key to the development and sharing
8 Implement knowledge transfer
of useful, practical examples on crime
programs between local government
prevention. Knowledge transfer will increase
authorities and also between national,
community capacity to address local crime
regional and local level.
and victimization issues through the transfer
and dissemination of what works and what
does not work. At present there exist gaps on 3.2.2 Strategic Intervention 6:
current knowledge and information in urban Improve human resources
crime and violence, which include perceptions capacity
of safety amongst community members,
identifying the most vulnerable groups Statement of the problem: Adequate number of
in society and community feelings about appropriately skilled and motivated personnel
institutional responses to crime. Knowledge is a key factor of success in crime prevention.
management will contribute to improved Local government authorities in Tanzania
understanding of efficient and effective crime face several staffing challenges including
prevention approaches through: insufficient number of staff, especially those
1. Conducting victimization surveys, with the required qualifications and skills,
safety audits and assessment and inability to attract and retain qualified staff
evaluation of institutional responses and high rates of turnover of staff due to
to crime, their failures and successes inadequate motivation. This will be realized
and Create database on urban crime through the following:
and crime prevention activities.
2 Documenting best practices and
support to other local government 1. Conduct a needs assessment study for
authorities in the country synthesize human resources,
and package lessons learned and 2. Provide training at national and local
replicable model projects and level;
disseminate such information as 3. Recruit appropriately qualified
widely as possible. personnel,
3 Networking and collaboration 4. Involve anchor institutions in
between local government authorities curriculum development, training
and with other agencies to learn from and in public education and awareness
the experience of others; creation
4 Create partnerships to foster
information sharing on crime
prevention.
5 Draw on lessons and experiences
from initiatives implemented by
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3.2.3 Strategic intervention 7: that are willing to help cities in
Mobilize adequate resources developing countries improve their
to finance urban crime ability to implement measures that
prevention: effectively address crime and violence
without being donor dependent,
Statement of the problem: Effective
implementation of these strategies for crime 3.3 Strategic Objective 3:
prevention will require considerable financial Establishing effective
outlay beyond the capacity of the smaller urban implementation modalities
local government authorities. For example,
when they are established, Auxiliary police units The strategies in this category focus on the
will need accommodation, equipment and mechanism by which the output objectives
remuneration. Local government authorities shall be achieved and they include community
will also be required to meet training costs participation in crime prevention, effective
of the Auxiliary police. Similarly for Ward decentralization of the functions, alongside
Tribunals to be effective, local government with devolution of the mandates, resources
authorities will have to make available office and competences for crime prevention,
space, stationery and allowances for their effective coordination of the many actors, and
members. Subsequently some costs will also building partnership and coalition of the key
be required to facilitate awareness creation role players.
and sensitization efforts through workshops,
seminars, printed materials (leaflets, brochures, 3.3.1 Strategic Intervention 8:
etc) and the media. A sound financing To increase sustainable
mechanism is therefore required to implement community action and
the strategy. Mobilizing adequate resources to enhance public participation
finance urban crime prevention through:
in crime prevention
1. Design and implement own source
revenue enhancement programs in Statement of the problem: All actors from the
local government authorities public, private and civil sectors including local
2. Implement cost recovery mechanism and central government institutions, business
through fines and penalties by more organizations, professional associations,
effective law enforcement trade unions, producers associations and
3. Create a budget line and apply own cooperatives, civil society organizations,
source revenue for crime prevention research and training institutions, and donors
activities in each local government must be involved in the urban crime prevention
authorities activities. The National Crime Prevention
4. Allocate and earmark central Strategy (NCPS) for Canada (PSEPC 2005)
transfers for example through Urban states that ‘partnerships and coalitions of
Development and Environment key governmental and non-governmental
Management Capital Development stakeholders are necessary in order to
Grant and from other sources for strengthen our common efforts to reduce crime
crime prevention activities and victimization in high risk/ high crime
5. Encourage the private sector and communities and with vulnerable groups. An
communities to contribute resources example of Queensland Crime Prevention
for crime prevention Strategy demonstrate it commitment on
6. Seek support of development partners building safer communities by tackling the
causes of crime as well as response to law
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and order through community participation. targeting individuals, families and
Partnerships provide an opportunity to embed social groups;
crime prevention through social development 6. Create an effective implementation
approaches, policies and practices of structure to coordinating activities of
organizations that impact community safety the partners
– from law enforcement to social housing.
Increasing sustainable community action
and enhancing participation will be realized 3.3.2 Strategic Intervention 9:
through the following: To coordinate multilevel
action and support for crime
1. Carry out local safety diagnosis to prevention efforts
identify key actors and potential
partners and Create coalitions and
Statement of the problem: Safety and security
partnerships among key players
issues cut across sectors, require a variety of
2. Sensitize all partners and continuously
skills and transcend all levels of governments,
educate the public regarding effective
involving the private sector and communities
crime prevention strategies so that all
as well. As such all national policies impact
urban communities can benefit from
on safety and security but the policies are
the range of crime prevention models,
uncoordinated at implementation level in
tools and procedures available in
the local government authorities. Not all
dealing with crime.
implementers are well informed of the policies
3. Enhance the role of local government
and the public are generally unaware of existing
authorities in Community Policing
policies. This will be addressed through the
and Neighborhood Watch programs;
following:
4. Support community prevention
initiatives, with special emphasis on
1. Strengthen coordination across levels
security groups, groups at risk and
of government, particularly of the
victimized (women and children,
local government authorities with
elderly, disabled, youth);
central government, regional and
5. Empower civil society organizations
district authorities,
(CSOs) to contribute effectively
in community action, prevention,
Integration of youth into development activities through income generation projects (car-wash) and crime
prevention initiatives
21
2. Strengthen coordination between local 3. Revision of the composition of the
government authorities, correctional District and Regional Defense and
agencies and the private sector, Security Committee membership to
3. Strengthen coordination of the private include directors of local government
sector, civil society organizations authorities
(CSOs) and community actors
4. Create linkages and coordinate 3.3.4 Strategic Intervention 11:
with other programs such as Local To ensure effective linkage
Government Reform Program, with other programs that
Legal Sector Reform Program, Local have a bearing on safety and
Government Support Programme, security
etc
5. Sensitization and awareness creation
Statement of the problem: There is a
on national policies
multiplicity of programs that are being
6. Strengthen coordination of sector
implemented in urban local authorities across
policies including social services
the country which are initiated by the local
and justice delivery policies, as well
government authorities or promoted by the
as central-local inter-departmental
government, civil society or external support
cooperation
agencies. The success of such programs may
impact on or depend upon issues of crime and
3.3.3 Strategic Intervention 10: security. Linkage will be strengthened by:
To effectively decentralize 1. Making inventory of the relevant
crime prevention by programs;
devolution: 2. Defining appropriate linkage
mechanisms
Statement of the problem: Despite a clear
constitutional and legislative mandate, local This section identifies the roles of key actors and
government authorities in Tanzania have not potential partners in crime prevention. The key
been fully involved in crime prevention. On stake holders in urban crime prevention include
the other hand decentralization by devolution LGAs, PMO-RALG, the police, correctional
is also not well known and generally not readily and justice delivery institutions and specialized
accepted by Sector Ministries. Consequently institutions, private sector, professional
sector ministries tend to devolve functions associations, trade unions, producers
to agencies rather than decentralize them associations and cooperative societies, civil
to local government authorities. Where society organizations, communities, training
functions are decentralized there is often no and research institutions and development
parallel devolution of mandates or resources partners.
to enable effective and efficient execution of
the decentralized functions. This should be Partnerships are key in achieving safety
addressed through: and security and should be reinforced so
1. Effective decentralize crime prevention as to share knowledge, know-how and
to local government authorities by coordinate resources and also to benefit from
devolving mandates and resources to complementary resources. All have a role to
them; play in implementing local crime prevention
2. Mainstreaming crime prevention in local initiatives:
government authority organizational
structure and functions;
22
4.0 Stakeholder Analysis:
4.1 The role of local government will be the focus for implementation of the
authorities urban crime prevention strategy. Elected
and appointed leaders at this level will take
The responsibility of local government responsibility of community mobilization and
authorities for maintaining peace, safety and for all community based initiatives such as
security is stipulated in various national policy community policing, contribution of resources,
documents and legislations as stated in the implementation of income generating projects,
introduction section 1.2. local government maintenance of infrastructure and services and
authorities are responsible for developing preventing vandalism, positive engagement
local initiatives for crime prevention and for of the youth and many others which will
monitoring and evaluation of the programs. take place at the lower level units of local
local government authorities will also be government authorities.
responsible for establishing data banks
on crime, conducting safety audits and 4.2 The Role of Prime
victimization surveys, and developing crime Ministers Office-Regional
prevention initiatives through a process of Administration and Local
participatory consultations with communities Government (PMO-RALG)
and other stakeholders. Other responsibilities
of the local government authorities will The primary role of PMO-RALG is to provide
include identification of vulnerable groups support for local government authorities
and devising means to reduce risk and they countrywide to implement the Safer Cities
will play a leading role in the implementation approach in crime prevention. PMO-
of outcome related strategies such as creation RALG will also provide technical support to
of conciliatory agencies at local level for petty local government authorities, avail relevant
disputes and providing support to them. documentation, provide information on
international experiences in dealing with safety
Lower level units of local government and security issues and contribute inputs to
authorities including the wards and ‘Mitaa’ the preparation of training modules to the
Launching of Safer Cities Initiative involves all key players at Municipal level (e.g the Police)
23
selected anchor institutions for training of in providing technical support including
staff in local government authorities, through training to local government authorities, civil
the Safer Cities Program. Additionally, PMO- society organizations and communities in
RALG will provide funding through the their respective areas of specialization.
Urban Development and Environmental
Management Capital Development Fund
(UDEM CDG) for preparation of action plans 4.4 Role of Civil Society
and for implementing proposed interventions Organizations (CSOs) and
or projects on urban safety and security, thereby Faith Based Organizations
enabling the local government authorities to (FBOs)
mainstream issues of urban crime prevention
in their annual Medium Term Expenditure
Civil Society Organisations have a crucial
Framework activities. PMO-RALG will also
role to play in mobilizing and educating
facilitate implementation of policies related
communities, linking with government organs
to urban crime prevention and link between
and communities by providing a structured
local government authorities, ministries and
forum for consultation with the public.
other central government institutions.
Many Tanzanians are strong believers and
religious leaders command much respect of
4.3 The Role of Central their followers. Faith Based Organizations will
Government Ministries, be requested to mobilize communities and to
Departments and Agencies advocate for righteous behavior.
Because safety and security touches upon 4.5 The Role of Communities
all aspects of human lives, all Central
government Ministries will have important Communities have the largest responsibility
roles in ensuring that government policies are in implementing local crime prevention
consistent with and supportive of urban crime initiatives, from the design to the
prevention in order to enable cross-sector implementation, monitoring and review of
coordination during the implementation of crime prevention activities. The safer cities
the national urban crime prevention strategy. approach embraces a participatory approach.
Where necessary ministries should review Communities can even contribute resources
their policies, revise and harmonize legislation and actively undertake neighborhood watch
to facilitate implementation of the strategy activities by joining or contributing resources
and allocate funds in their annual budgets for to facilitate participatory community policing
capacity building of implementing agencies teams. In addition it is a statutory obligation
including local government authorities and for of the community to report on incidences
monitoring of implementation of all aspects of crime, report on suspicious behavior and
of the strategy that are relevant to their sector participate in conducting arrest, search and to
activities. seize property connected with crime so as to
suppress crime.
The police, correctional institutions, justice
delivery institutions and specialized institutions
such as the Prevention and Combating
4.6 Role of Anchor and other
of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), the Drug Training Institutions
Control Commission (DCC), Ministry of
Education, Ministry of Youth Development, To develop curriculum on special training
Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Housing, for social workers, planners and policemen to
Ministry of Sports will all have a role to play equip them for joint action and for involving
24
the entire community in crime prevention • Facilitating technical cooperation,
and to conduct research on crime and advisory services, and international and
victimization. regional networks of resource institutions
and partners
4.7 Role of Development • Strengthening the capacity of, and
Partners: support national government, local
government authorities and civil society
While crime prevention is essentially a local organisations in the development of
agenda, global partners have a vital role to crime prevention programs
play and it is important to recognize and • Increasing the availability, exchange
seek for mutual benefits from the vital role and knowledge sharing options through
of development partners including the UN- technical assistance , especially the South
HABITAT in the following aspects: and South as well as the South and the
• Support advocacy on local crime North interface;
prevention, policy development on • Providing technical support and
human settlements and on the governance training.
dimensions of crime prevention,
• Document and analyze experiences, and
develop and disseminate tools and best
practices for local government authorities
and other actors.
Stakeholder Consultative workshop during the launching of Safer Cities Initiative at Municipal level
25
5.0 Implementation Modalities
Two thirds of the interventions to implement • A coordinator, who initiates the process,
the national urban crime prevention strategy brings people together, motivates, spurs
will take place at the level of local government to action, manages the crime prevention
authorities and communities while only team and the local crime prevention
about one third will be at the national level. initiative, and guides it through the
A coordinated implementation across levels phases, and;
of government will be necessary to ensure • A champion, who works with the
success, which requires a good institutional coordinator, providing official status
mechanism. and political backbone for the initiative.
Ideally, the champion is the Mayor, or
5.1 Institutional structures another high-level political person.
To achieve the objectives of this Strategy, The specific roles and functions of the local
there should be a clearly defined institutional government authorities have been defined
structure with clear assignment of in paragraph 4.1 of this strategy document
roles and responsibilities at all levels of and the explicit activities of the urban local
implementation: government authorities are elaborated in the
Action Plan in paragraph 6.0 of this strategy
document. Other statutory responsibilities
5.1.1 National level
of the local government authorities which
remain pertinent to achieving the objectives
The Steering Committee and Technical of this strategy are the following:
Committee of the Safer Cities Tanzania • To maintain and facilitate the existence
Programme should be strengthened to include of peace, order and good governance
the Ministry of Finance and Economic within their areas of jurisdiction;
Planning, the Ministry responsible for Social • To promote the social welfare and
Welfare as well as representation the private economic well-being of all persons
sector and civil society. The Government within their areas of jurisdiction;
representatives from the Prime Minister’s • Subject to the national policy and plans
Office, Regional Administration and Local for urban development, to further the
Government (PMO RALG), Ministry of social and economic development of
Lands, Housing and Human Settlements their areas of jurisdiction;
Development should play a key role in the • To make necessary measures to protect
Safer Cities meetings and decisions. and enhance the environment in order
to promote sustainable development;
5.1.2 Local Government Authorities • To give effect to the meaningful
level decentralization in political, financial
and administrative matters relating to the
Implementation of the strategy will be functions, powers, responsibilities and
coordinated at the local government authorities services of all levels of local government
level. To begin a local crime prevention authorities;
initiative a co-ordinating team is required • To promote and ensure democratic
within which two key people are needed: participation in and control of decision
making by people concerned; and
26
• To establish and maintain reliable the urban safety agenda is built at the local
sources of revenue and other resources level, the strategy will be monitored through
enabling local government authorities participatory mechanisms which include
to perform other functions effectively regular consultations with partners, to review
and to enhance financial accountability implementation and advances on jointly
of local government authorities, their formulated work plans. A working group
members and employees. of key partners is recommended in order to
ensure stakeholder participation in project
5.1.3 ‘Mtaa’ and Community level formulation (yearly work plans design),
implementation, follow-up, and evaluation.
Elected and appointed leaders at the Ward The group will be composed of a representative
and ‘Mtaa’ level will take responsibility and relevant group of partners at each local
for community mobilization and for all government authority.
community based crime prevention initiatives
such as community policing, community The Action Plan categorizes the main activities
resources mobilization and implementation of that aim to attain the strategic objectives into
income generating projects. NGOs and CBOs short, medium and long term interventions.
will be engaged to organize communities Short term interventions are those that
and to sensitize members on their roles and can be implemented within one Medium
responsibilities. Communities will be involved Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
in the design and implementation, and in planning period of three years. Medium
monitoring and review of crime prevention Term interventions are those which cannot
activities. Other community responsibilities be realized within the MTEF span but do not
are: exceed five years. Interventions that require
• To contribute resources and to more than five years to realize are categorized
actively undertake neighborhood as long term. While strategic interventions
watch activities, that will take place at the national level are
• To constitute participatory community intended to facilitate the rolling out of the
policing teams and ‘Sungusungu’ national program, those for local level are
groups and contribute resources to only indicative and are intended to enable
facilitate community policing and national consistency during implementation .
neighborhood watch activities, Individual local government authorities should
• Reporting on incidences of crime, have autonomy to chart their own detailed
or suspicious behavior which is a action plans according to their priorities which
statutory obligation, and will be based on prevailing local conditions
• Ensuring maintenance of and needs.
infrastructure and services by
preventing vandalism.
27
6.0 Action Plan for Implementing the Strategic
Interventions:
Table 6.0: Action Plan for Implementation of the Strategic Interventions
STRATEGIC NATIONAL LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES TIME
INTERVENTIONS ACTIVITIES FAME
Strengthening law Assist to establish Auxiliary Establish Auxiliary Police Units in all Short
enforcement Police Units in all local local government authorities Term
government authorities
Support establishment and Establish, support and regularize Medium
regularization of Militia and Militia and ‘Sungusungu’ groups Term
‘Sungusungu’ groups
Provide Militia and Revive and strengthen Ward
‘Sungusungu’ groups with Tribunals
police cooperation
Harmonize and update Harmonize and update conflicting
conflicting and outdated and outdated by-laws
legislations
Establish national crime Establish local crime prevention
prevention structures structures
Strengthen control of illegal Create conciliatory agencies for
drugs and small arms resolution of disputes
Create National Center for Replace punitive system with Long
Crime Prevention preventive, rehabilitative and Term
compensatory systems
Urban Youth Support expansion of Expand secondary and vocational Short to
Engagement secondary and vocational education facilities Medium
education facilities Term
Form Youth Councils to integrate
them into local government
authority activities and management
structure
Create urban Youth employment Medium
opportunities to Long
Involve the youth in community Term
policing and other safety and
security initiatives
Provide treatment, rehabilitation and
reintegration of drug abuse victims
Provide adequate sports and
recreation facilities
28
STRATEGIC NATIONAL LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES TIME
INTERVENTIONS ACTIVITIES FAME
29
STRATEGIC NATIONAL LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES TIME
INTERVENTIONS ACTIVITIES FAME
30
STRATEGIC NATIONAL LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES TIME
INTERVENTIONS ACTIVITIES FAME
31
References:
(Endnotes)
aWorld Bank 2000 report, Voices of the Poor - Can Anyone Hear Us?, Deepa Narayan, March
2000
b Caldeira (1996a) writes ‘the talk of crime is the principal discourse in Sao Paulo everyday life’. The
perception that the institutions of order, particularly the police, are also violent has magnified the fear
and led to the growth of private guard systems.
32