NCJ Number
52871
Date Published
1976
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT REPRESENTS AN 18-MONTH EVALUATION OF THE DETROIT, MICH., MINIPOLICE STATION PROGRAM IN TERMS OF ITS IMPACT ON CRIME AND POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS AS REFLECTED BY CRIME INDICES AND RESIDENTS' ATTITUDES.
Abstract
THE EVALUATION INVOLVED A COMPARISON OF LOCATIONS IN WHICH MINISTATIONS WERE PLACED WITH LOCATIONS THAT HAD NO MINISTATION INVOLVEMENT. THE REPORT, THEREFORE, MEASURES THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM AND NORMAL POLICE FUNCTIONS. TWO TYPES OF INFORMATION WERE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING THE PROGRAM: REVIEWS OF CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT AND INTERVIEWS WITH CITY RESIDENTS CONCERNING CRIME INCIDENCE. AN ANALYSIS OF THE DATA INDICATES THAT THE TOTAL PROGRAM IS HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY THE PUBLIC. THE PROGRAM HAS HAD POSITIVE EFFECTS IN TERMS OF INCREASED CRIME REPORTING (WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS) AND DECREASED INCIDENCE. IT HAS HAD A MEASURABLE EFFECT ON INCREASING CITIZENS' FEELINGS OF SAFETY, AND MINISTATION OFFICERS TEND TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. THE VICTIMIZATION SURVEY, HOWEVER, FAILED TO DETECT STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONTROL AND EXPERIMENTAL TRACTS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE GOALS OF MAKING SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY CONTACT AND DECREASING CRIME HAVE NOT BEEN REALIZED FULLY. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED CONCERNING PERSONNEL SELECTION AND TRAINING, SHIFT TIMES, PLANNING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, THE CRIME REPORTING SYSTEM, AND CONTINUED EVALUATION. THERE IS SUFFICIENT DATA, HOWEVER, FOR RESEARCHERS TO RECOMMEND CONTINUING AND EXPANDING THE PROGRAM. APPENDIXES CONTAIN COMPARISONS OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL TRACTS BY CATEGORY OF CRIME AND INFORMATION ON INTERCORRELATIONS OF EFFECTS ON REPORTED CRIME BY CATEGORY. (KJM)