Which statement about resource use in community policing is accurate?

• A. It always requires more resources
• B. It can achieve ambitious crime control objectives without an increase in resources
• C. It reduces the need for partnerships
• D. It has no impact on resource allocation

Answer: (B)

Resource use in community policing focuses on getting more impact from the assets you already have. By strengthening partnerships with residents, businesses, schools, social services, and other agencies, police can target the most persistent problems and apply preventive, data-driven responses. This collaborative, problem-solving approach often achieves ambitious crime-control objectives without increasing the budget because it reallocates and leverages existing resources more effectively, uses volunteers or auxiliary supports, and coordinates efforts to reduce calls for service and repetitive problems. For example, coordinating with community groups to address a recurring quality-of-life issue or partnering with social services to tackle underlying causes can improve outcomes while staying within current resources.

The idea isn’t that partnerships are optional or that resource needs vanish, but that smarter use and coordination of resources, rather than simply adding money, drive greater impact.