NCJ Number
61701
Date Published
1979
Length
51 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF EL PASO, TEX., DURING 1978 ARE PRESENTED. STATISTICAL TABULAR DATA CONSTITUTE THE BULK OF THE REPORT; SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THE CRIME INDEX FOR EL PASO IN 1978 WAS THE LOWEST SINCE 1973. THIS WAS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT INDEX CRIMES DECREASED IN THE CITY. THE YEAR 1977 SAW A 2.8-PERCENT REDUCTION IN CRIME, AND 1978 REFLECTS A 4.1-PERCENT ABATEMENT IN SPITE OF A 6.5-PERCENT POPULATION INCREASE SINCE 1977. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYS 707 OFFICERS AND 160 CIVILIANS. OF THE 23,609 INDEX CRIMES REPORTED FOR THE YEAR, 23 PERCENT WERE CLEARED BY ARRESTS. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS, INCLUDING MURDER, RAPE, AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, TOTALED 715. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, INCLUDING ROBBERY, BURGLARY, LARCENY, THEFT, AND MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT, TOTALED 22,894. THE TOTAL CRIME INDEX, OR RATE OF CRIME PER 100,000 PERSONS, WAS 5,758. THE CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM OF EL PASO EXPERIENCED CONTINUED SUCCESS IN 1978. A TOTAL OF 24 ARRESTS WERE MADE WITH INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH CRIME STOPPERS. DURING THE FIRST PART OF 1978 THE DEPARTMENT ACQUIRED THE 'SIRCHIE' MOBILE EVIDENCE COLLECTION VAN. MUCH OF THE DIFFICULTY IN COLLECTING, PRESERVING, ANALYZING, AND DOCUMENTING EVIDENCE IN THE FIELD WAS ALLEVIATED WITH THIS ADDITION TO THE FORCE. IN ADDITION, THE CANINE UNIT WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EIGHT HANDLERS. PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHS, CHARTS, AND STATISTICAL TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)