NCJ Number
37336
Date Published
1976
Length
40 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ANALYSIS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN EXETER (RI) IN RELATION TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE, THE EXTENT OF THE CRIME PROBLEM, AND POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULLTIME POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
POLICE SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO THE TOWN PRIMARILY THROUGH THE STATE POLICE, WHO HAVE TWO BARRACKS LOCATED ADJACENT TO EXETER'S BORDERS. PART-TIME, ELECTED OFFICIALS SUPPLEMENT THE STATE POLICE IN SERVING THE POPULATION OF 4,000 PEOPLE. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WAS REQUESTED WHEN THE RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE ANNOUNCED THAT ONE OF THE BARRACKS SERVING EXETER MAY HAVE TO BE CLOSED. TO DEVELOP INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TOWN'S LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS AND CURRENT SERVICES DELIVERY, THE CONSULTANT USED A MULTIFACETED APPROACH. THIS INCLUDED INTERVIEWING POLICE AND TOWN OFFICIALS AND EXAMINATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS INCLUDING, BUDGETS, LOCAL AND STATE POLICE RECORDS, AND BUILDING PERMITS. IT WAS FOUND THAT EXETER WAS FACED WITH A PROBLEM OF INCREASING CRIME WITH INADEQUATE DELIVERY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND LITTLE MONEY TO COMBAT THESE TRENDS. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT THE CRIME PROBLEM; REASSESSMENT OF CURRENT TAX STRUCTURES AND FORMULAS TO FREE MONEY TO DEVELOP POLICE SERVICES; COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVES FOR UPGRADING SERVICE CAPABILITY.