NCJ Number
242195
Date Published
October 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This National Institute of Justice Research Preview presents an evaluation of Chicago's Alternative Policing Strategy after its second year of implementation.
Abstract
In 1993, the city of Chicago field-tested CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy), the city's community policing program designed to increase the responsiveness and effectiveness of the police department's problem solving efforts. This research paper presents the results of an evaluation of CAPS after its second year of implementation. The evaluation found that perceived crime problems decreased significantly in all prototype districts. These problems included robbery, auto theft, perceived physical decay, gang violence, and drug dealing. In regards to citizens' attitudes towards police, the evaluation found that both African-American and White residents perceived a significant increase in police responsiveness to public concerns. In addition, it was found that police supervisors in CAPS-districts were more optimistic about the -positive impact of CAPS than supervisors in non-CAPS districts. The evaluation also examined the effect of CAPS on district advisory committees; beat meetings; the development of partnerships between police, citizens, private organizations, and public agencies; the involvement of community organizations; and court advocacy. The evaluation found that CAPS had positive effects on these areas of policing in the city of Chicago. The evaluation was conducted on the effect of CAPS on five selected districts within the city of Chicago. Implementation of CAPS on a citywide basis was begun following the positive findings from this evaluation.