ALLEGHENY COUNTY (PA) - REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS, APRIL 18, 20, 21, 1977 - SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AND INDEX

• NCJ Number: 55264
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, VICTIM ASSISTANCE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS, COURTS, CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, POLICE, AND FUNDING ARE MATTERS CONSIDERED IN THIS SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AT A PLANNING COUNCIL HEARING.

Abstract

AS A PART OF ITS PLANNING EFFORTS EACH YEAR, THE ALLEGHENY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL CONDUCTS PUBLIC HEARINGS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AND ASSESS THE ATTITUDES OF CITIZENS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OFFICIALS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS ON THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. THIS REPORT IS A SUMMARY OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD APRIL 18, AND 20-21, 1977. IN THE AREA OF COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION AND EDUCATION, THE FOLLOWING TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED IN TESTIMONY: CITIZEN FEAR OF VICTIMIZATION, DISSEMINATION OF CRIME PREVENTION INFORMATION TO ALL CITIZENS, CITIZEN APATHY, LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION OF COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS, POLICE FOOT PATROL, THE NEED FOR ACTIVITY ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH, EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION BY JUVENILES, GUN CONTROL, AND CHILD ABUSE. IN TESTIMONY ON VICTIM ASSISTANCE, CRIME VICTIMS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY, REPORTED FEAR OF RETALIATION, CONFUSING AND LENGTHY COURT PROCESSES, AND RELUCTANCE TO SEND A JUVENILE TO JAIL AS THE MAIN REASONS FOR NOT REPORTING CRIMES. PROMPT AND PROPER MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF RAPE VICTIMS WERE REQUESTED, ALONG WITH ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN ABUSED IN DOMESTIC DISPUTES. COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS WAS VIEWED AS IMPORTANT FOR REDUCING CITIZEN RESISTANCE TO THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH PROGRAMS IN THEIR AREAS. PROGRAMS TO COMBAT ALCOHOLISM AMONG TEENAGERS WERE ALSO DISCUSSED. RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR ADULT OFFENDERS WERE CONSIDERED, AND A CHIEF CONCERN WITH REGARD TO THE COURT SYSTEM WAS THE ISSUE OF BAIL BONDING. THE CHIEF REQUEST REGARDING POLICE SERVICES WAS TO UPDATE HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS TRAINING TO AID POLICE IN REBUILDING COMMUNITY RESPECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. THE APPENDIX LISTS PARTCIPANTS IN THE HEARING. (RCB)