NCJ Number
50484
Date Published
1976
Length
197 pages
Annotation
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY WAS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME IN THE SAN JUAN METROPOLITAN AREA.
Abstract
THIS STUDY WAS DEVELOPED PARTICULARLY FOR OLD SAN JUAN, THE COMMERICAL AREA, AND THE PARTS MOST FREQUENTED BY TOURISTS. THE CRIMES FOCUSED ON WERE THEFT IN GENERAL, AUTO THEFT, AND BREAKING AND ENTERING. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY WERE TO EXAMINE CAR AND FOOT PATROLS, STREET LIGHTING, SPECIAL TRAINING NEEDS FOR POLICE OFFICERS, USE OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT WITH A SPECIAL FREQUENCY, AND A CITIZEN'S ORIENTATION PROGRAM. THE CAPABILITY OF EACH OF THESE OBJECTIVES TO REDUCE CRIME WAS EXAMINED WITH REGARD TO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, DISTRIBUTION AND TRAINING, AND IMPACT ON CRIMINALITY IN GENERAL. QUESTIONNAIRES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO POLICE OFFICERS AND BUSINESSMEN IN THE AREAS COVERED IN THE PROGRAM, AND INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH THE POLICE, BUSINESSMEN, AND RESIDENTS. MULTIVARIATE AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSES WERE CONDUCTED ON THE DATA COLLECTED. AS A RESULT OF THE STUDY THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE: THE DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME IN THE DESIGNATED SECTORS SHOULD BE FURTHER ANALYZED, POLICE PERSONNEL PATROLS SHOULD BE REORGANIZED ACCORDING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME AS DISCOVERED THROUGH ANALYSIS, SPECIAL TRAINING NEEDED FOR POLICE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE REVIEWED, A MINIMUM TRANSFER POLICY SHOULD EXIST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED, A NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSTALLED FOR THE STREETS, AND A SYSTEMATIC ORIENTATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAM SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSMEN. A PROPOSED BUDGET, MAPS, CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED. --IN SPANISH. (INL)