Using as framework the research on social exclusion and crime, and especially its left realist approach on inequality as determination of crime in society, the present article is focusing on the dynamics of crime and control in rural areas. Relative deprivation as multidimensional explanation regarding crime, at group and individual level, acts as a catalyst of the profound social changes created by the late modernity. It influences the dynamics of the exclusionary and stigmatizing processes, of which the underclass discourse is one of the most visible, and fuels the most hatred reactions. Under increased public scrutiny and popular pressure, the activity of social control agencies also is mobilized towards shifting and sharing the state responsibility for preventing criminal acts with individuals and communities. Rurality adds an extra layer of exclusion and disadvantage, exposing the vulnerable groups to even more pressure from social control agencies. Community policing is an approach to establish partnerships for crime prevention with local stakeholders, using the resources available and strengthening commitments of different groups to assume a role for the safety of their communities. Since some groups placed in power positions tend to involve more in shaping the security policies of their localities a key question related to extending the community policing in rural areas remains what design of intervention should be selected in order to ensure a wide participation of all relevant groups, including the vulnerable categories.
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