Systemic Prevention addresses underlying causes, or "risk factors," that are at the root of chronic, long-term problems in a community. Risk factors include drug abuse, lack of quality education and youth programs, family violence, and high unemployment.

The organizations that play lead roles in systemic prevention are employment and economic services, schools, health and human services, and the private and nonprofit sectors. These groups offer intervention strategies that can impact the overall quality of life for people and their communities.

Some examples are job-training programs for youth, drug treatment programs, health programs that teach teenage mothers how to care for their infants, and other intervention efforts. These all require long-term involvement from a range of city services and agencies. Police and communities help by involving these groups in neighborhood partnerships and holding them accountable for the commitments they make in the partnership.

Police programs and safety tips that involve Systemic Prevention include: