NCJ Number
184554
Journal
National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 226 Dated: April 1993 Pages: 16-22
Date Published
April 1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the planning and implementation for Tampa's (Florida) QUAD program (Quick Uniform Attack on Drugs), which was designed to restore public order and community safety by suppressing street drug markets.
Abstract
QUAD was not designed to stop Tampa's drug trade, incarcerate dealers, seize drugs and assets, or achieve any of the other traditional goals of narcotics enforcement. This approach had been tried and had no noticeable effect on rampant open-air drug sales. The QUAD approach is to mount a citywide campaign that involves police-community cooperation in disrupting the operation of street drug markets by making such operations unsafe, unpredictable, and unprofitable for both drug sellers and buyers. A special police unit was established to coordinate the program, although all police divisions are involved in the effort. The QUAD's key elements are a citywide strategy; a long-term commitment to the plan; allocation of adequate resource; solicitation and maintenance of citizen involvement; a method to communicate with individual citizens without exposing them to retaliation (anonymous citizen use of beepers to report to police); an immediate response to every citizen complaint; involvement of officers from each division or bureau; and involvement of other city departments in support of the police department. Further, it is a system to ensure constant monitoring of conditions predominant throughout the city, and there is active media involvement to enhance public education and support. Under QUAD, reported crime and calls for police service declined markedly, and community confidence in the police increased. 5 notes