NCJ Number
221901
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 25-39
Date Published
March 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Through a survey of Kansas City residents, this study measured community perceptions of alternate reporting methods (ARM) in policing for nonserious crimes.
Abstract
Findings indicate that alternate reporting methods (ARM) overall, and in particular Internet reporting of nonserious crimes, was more likely to be supported by younger White women who were higher educated and homeowners. As age increased, citizens were less likely to consider alternatives to 911. In addition, as citizen beliefs in equitable treatment decreased, willingness to use ARM increased, suggesting that alternate methods like mailing in reports and other remote methods might be a way to allow citizens who are skeptical of police behavior a way to receive police assistance for nonserious crimes. This research is valuable, in that it informs policymakers on the level of comfort of citizens with various alternative reporting methods. Responses beyond 911 appear often to be implemented on little more than good faith. Most people agree that local police should continue to place a high priority on responding to violent and other felony crime. However, law enforcement agencies are increasingly asked to assume more service-related responsibilities within the community, creating a situation of thinly spread resources. Some nonemergency problems might be handled in an alternate way to increase efficiency in the delivery of police services. This study surveyed 6,000 residents in Kansas City in an attempt to understand the degree of citizen support and factors related to using alternate reporting methods in 6 different predefined nonemergency situations. Tables, references