NCJ Number
48254
Date Published
1974
Length
11 pages
Annotation
KEY FACTORS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S CRIME REDUCTION PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN 1969, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S CITY GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED REDUCTION OF CRIME AS THE CITY'S TOP PRIORITY AND CONCENTRATED ATTENTION AND RESOURCES ON CRIME REDUCTION EFFORTS. KEY FACTORS IN THE DISTRICT'S OVERALL PROGRAM TO REDUCE CRIME HAVE INCLUDED THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDERS' ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CRIME REDUCTION IN THEIR AREAS, ADEQUATE NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS, REVISED POLICE-COURT PROCEDURES AND OTHER EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ORGANIZATION AND EFFICIENCY OF THE COURTS, AND EMPHASIS ON DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT. OTHER FACTORS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO CRIME REDUCTION INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN POLICE SUPPORT SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT, INTRODUCTION OF A 911 TELEPHONE NUMBER EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED DATA-PROCESSING CAPABILITY FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EACH FACTOR TO THE REDUCTION OF CRIME IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BY ONE-HALF SINCE 1969 ARE NOTED. (LKM)