NCJ Number
15764
Date Published
1974
Length
175 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF PROJECT TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF STREET CRIME SUCH AS ROBBERY AND BURGLARY THROUGH THE USE OF AERIAL OBSERVATION AND A BEACON ALARM LIGHT SYSTEM IN AURORA, LAKEWOOD, AND WHEATRIDGE, COLORADO.
Abstract
THE SPECIAL CRIME AERIAL RECONNAISANCE PROJECT (SCAR) OF THE DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT UTILIZES A HELICOPTER WITH FULL POLICE EQUIPMENT, INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND INSTALLATION, BEACON ALARMS SYSTEMS, AND OTHER ALARM SYSTEMS, THIS REPORT PRESENTS A SUMMARY OF HELICOPTER OPERATIONS, SERVICE, COSTS AND FLIGHT TIME FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1973. AN ASSESSMENT OF REDUCTION IN CRIME RATES FOR TARGET AND ADJACENT PRECINCTS INDICATES THAT THE USE OF THE HELICOPTER IS PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE NOTED DECREASE IN BURGLARY. THE DATA ALSO INDICATE THAT THE PROJECT IS EFFECTIVE IN SUPPRESSING RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES IN THE TARGET AREA, AND COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES IN THE ADJACENT PRECINCTS. RESULTS FROM AN ATTITUDE AND OPERATIONS SURVEY OF THE PROJECT SHOW THAT ALMOST HALF OF THE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE NEVER HAD PROJECT SCAR EXPLAINED TO THEM BY A SUPERVISOR. THE OFFICERS ALSO REPORT PROBLEMS IN THE PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE FURTHER RESEARCH TO ASCERTAIN THE HELICOPTER PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON CRIME REDUCTION AND ITS COST-EFFECTIVE RESULTS.