Community involvement has long been recognized as a cornerstone of effective crime prevention and control, yet its mechanisms, efficacy, and challenges in the 21st century require renewed scholarly examination. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted role communities’ play in mitigating crime, moving beyond traditional neighborhood watch models to explore a complex ecosystem of formal and informal social controls. Through a systematic review of literature from 2015 to 2025, this study synthesizes evidence on key community-based strategies, including Community-Oriented Policing (COP), Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), and grassroots interventions focused on social cohesion and collective efficacy. The findings indicate a strong, albeit context-dependent, correlation between high levels of collective efficacy, strong social ties, and institutional support with significant reductions in both violent and property crimes. However, the research also identifies critical challenges, such as the digitalization of crime, systemic inequities, and the potential for community initiatives to exacerbate social exclusion. The paper concludes that while the community is an indispensable actor in the public safety landscape, its impact is maximized when integrated into a collaborative framework involving law enforcement, social services, and local government. Strategic recommendations are offered for policymakers, law enforcement leaders, and community organizers to harness community potential effectively and ethically.