Merit Badge Workbook Merit Badge History

Crime Prevention - In-Person Class Notes

Please be courteous and arrive early for registration and instructions PRIOR to your scheduled class start time. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Crime Prevention Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Things to remember to bring for this merit badge class:

  • Your BSA ID # (not your Scoutbook ID #)
  • If you do not have your BSA ID # (or did not provide it with your online registration) you will need a Merit badge blue card properly filled out and signed off by your Scout Leader
  • Crime Prevention Merit Badge Pamphlet
  • Scout uniform
  • Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the Crime Prevention merit badge, which may also include a merit badge workbook for reference with notes
  • A positive Scouting focus and attitude

If you are unfamiliar with the Blue Card Process, please read and understand the Scoutmaster Bucky Blue Card Process.

Crime Prevention - Online Class Notes

Scoutmaster Bucky Online Class links will be sent out 12 to 24 hours prior to the class start time. Notification will be sent to the email address provided in the registration, so please make sure your email is correctly entered.

Please be courteous and arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Ensure that your internet connection, camera, microphone, and broadcasting environment are working and optimal for class participation. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Crime Prevention Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Crime Prevention Merit Badge
Current Scouts BSA Requirements
as of February 17, 2023

Please make sure you read the top portion of this page for general participation expectations in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge class.

Pay careful attention to the action verbs within the requirements. An example to note:

"Tell", "explain", "describe", and "discuss" are commonly used and will require the Scout to perform these actions during the class. When these action verbs are a part of any requirement, Scouts are expected to be prepared to share. Reading responses is not acceptable since it does not fulfill the requirement of showing the Scout's knowledge and understanding.

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.”
Scouts should consider writing this out to show the counselor that some thought and research has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings. Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must discuss several items and will be required to partake in group and/or individual discussion to obtain credit.
2.
Prepare a journal from various sources that address crime and crime prevention efforts in your community.
Scouts will be engaged in discussion on their findings, their source of this information, and discuss how these issues they feel affect their community. It is recommended that Scouts bring their notebook completed (if possible) as there will NOT be time allocated in the class for working on this requirement. Scouts who bring a completed notebook will have an opportunity to review this requirement with the class counselor.
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.
Scouts should review this requirement and its components and be prepared to discuss.
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 pamphlet, conduct a security survey of your home and discuss the results with your family.
Scouts will be engaged in discussion on their findings, review of their completed checklist, and discuss their findings and results. It is recommended that Scouts bring their notes for requirement 4a and completed checklist and notes for requirement 4b. This requirement will be discussed in the class, however only Scouts who have fully completed the requirements (which includes bringing the preparation work COMPLETED to class) will have an opportunity to be signed off on this requirement.
5.
Teach your family or patrol members how to protect themselves from crime at home, at school, in your community, and while traveling.
Scouts should bring some sort of note from their parent or Patrol Leader validating that they have completed this requirement. Only Scout who can show proof of doing this requirement prior to the class will have the opportunity to be considered for sign off on this requirement by the counselor.
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 pagelong public service announcement that could be read over the public address system at school or posted on the school’s website.
c.
Make a presentation to a group such as a Cub Scout den that addresses the issue.
Scouts are encouraged to gather material ahead of time for use in creating their poster or presentation. Time will be allotted during the class to share their work. While some time may be available during the class for finishing touches on their work, only Scouts having completed most or all of the work ahead of time will have an opportunity to be considered for sign off on this requirement during the class. In other words, don't expect to show up at the class and begin working on this AND completing it within the class time. Be Prepared.
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.
Scouts will be working on requirement 7a as a part of this class, reviewing the Merit Badge pamphlet ahead of time will give Scouts all the resources necessary for participation in the classroom activity.
8.
Discuss the following with your counselor:
a.
How drug abuse awareness programs 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.
The potential consequences from the misuse of prescription drugs.
d.
How the illegal sale and use of drugs lead to other crimes.
e.
Three resources in your city where a person with a drug problem or drugrelated problem can go for help.
f.
How to recognize child abuse.
g.
The three R’s of Youth Protection.
Scouts should review this requirement and its components and be prepared to discuss. It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring any notes or supporting documents they may have to help show the counselor that they have prepared for discussion of these items.
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.
Scouts should review this requirement and its components and be prepared to discuss. It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring any notes or supporting documents they may have to help show the counselor that they have prepared for discussion of these items.