NCJ Number
161455
Date Published
1995
Length
77 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of Mississippi's multijurisdictional drug task forces was designed to determine the extent to which the units have been accomplishing their goals and meeting the expectations of local residents as well as task force officers and directors.
Abstract
This report presents evaluation data and information for each of Mississippi's multijurisdictional task forces. To determine the multijurisdictional drug task forces' impact on drug-related crimes, the evaluators designed a study to obtain at least three distinct categories of performance measures. Performance measures were in the form of a survey of residents in the target areas, a survey of the task force officers, and monthly task force reports. Respondents' answers to the survey of citizens shows that they were satisfied with the level of police protection; however, the same respondents also believed their communities were less safe than 3 years ago. They also believed that drug-related crime was increasing. Citizens apparently accepted that the police were doing the best they can, but drug- related problems were too overwhelming to be resolved. The vast majority of officers participating in task force work noted that the levels of drug seizures, arrests, and prosecutions have increased across the board. Monthly reports show that the task forces were achieving outstanding success in their efforts to combat drug-related crimes. Enormous seizures were reported, and numerous arrests have been made with many charges arising from these arrests. Still, the drug trade continues, and officers perceive that they have been only moderately effective in controlling violent crimes and drug-related crimes. Crack cocaine was noted to be an "extreme" problem. Thus, despite the success of the task forces in achieving their goals, the drug problem persists and citizens continue to feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. 56 tables and 15 figures