NCJ Number
43238
Date Published
1977
Length
46 pages
Annotation
THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE CRIME CONTROL ACT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM WAS TO PROVIDE STATE AND LOCAL DISCRETION IN IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS; THIS PURPOSE IS BEING ERODED BY CATEGORIZATION.
Abstract
A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STUDY GROUP REPORT, WHICH HAS RECOMMENDED ELIMINATING OR LIMITING THE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH STRONGER FEDERAL CONTROL OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS, SUGGESTS REPLACING CURRENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING WITH A SPECIAL REVENUE SHARING CONCEPT. THE ORIGINAL BLOCK GRANT CONCEPT WAS DESIGNED TO STIMULATE LOCAL AGENCIES TO DEVELOP LOCAL PROGRAMS FOR MEETING LOCAL NEEDS. AMENDMENTS TO THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968 HAVE INCREASINGLY CATEGORIZED FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND SHIFTED MORE DECISIONMAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES HAVE FURTHER DISPLACED STATE AND LOCAL PREROGATIVES. A SERIES OF SPECIAL FUNDING DECISIONS HAS MADE EXTRA MONEY AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAMS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND OTHER SPECIAL CATEGORIES; THESE DECISIONS ARE TENDING TO SKEW LOCAL BUDGET PLANNING. A MAJOR REVAMPING OF FEDERAL FUNDING IS NEEDED, BUT SUCH A REVAMPING SHOULD LESSEN REDTAPE AND FEDERAL CONTROL, NOT INCREASE IT. THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING ADMINISTRATORS FEELS THAT THESE STUDY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SERIOUSLY FLAWED AND THAT THE BLOCK GRANT CONCEPT SHOULD BE REVISED AND STRENGTHENED.