language logic

You are. I don't know the context, but maybe "prevent someone from committing a crime" would work.

Then again, we talk about Crime Prevention efforts....not A Crime Prevention
Effort..................................

What is the difference between "Crime Prevention efforts" and "A Crime Prevention Effort"? Thanks!

100% acceptable.
"People" is most generally is synonymous with "someone" or the more clumsy " some persons". There is no "whole" implied by the context of committing crime.

Regardless of my "0" grade, and at the risk of having verbal chalk thrown at me, I stand by my reply to you. I understand the "logic" of your question.
To my understanding, "synonymous" means that words have the same meaning and that they are somewhat interchangeable. Insofar as "people" being synonymous with "someone", I must disagree. To my knowledge, "people" means more than one person, and "someone" means "one person".
I would say "Someone stole my car." I would not say "People stole my car."

I agree with Fresco, it is completely acceptable... For example (in a complete sentence), "They believe that this new police policy will prevent people from committing crime".

I understood what you meant about people as a whole committing crime. Indeed, the example sentence would be acceptable. However, logically, it would mean "...prevent 'some' people from committing crime."

Current semantic theory* stresses the issue of 'context'. Context governs my choice of 'synonymous' in this instance. Suggesting an extension of the context leads to confusion.

*If interested, look up 'linguistic non representationalism'.

Yeah, I'll get right on that.

Consider the definition of "people"

people
/ˈpiːp(ə)l/
noun
1.
human beings in general or considered collectively.
"the earthquake killed 30,000 people"
synonyms: human beings, persons, individuals, humans, mankind, humankind, the human race, Homo sapiens, humanity, the human species, mortals, (living) souls, personages, men, women, and children; More



Yes it is, and the expression is quite popular.



The definition is not confined to the entire human race.

I think it is appropriate because 'people' is pleural. Multiple people in the world do commit crimes (unfortunately). So no worries in your expression, or another version would be ok also.