NCJ Number
15457
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A TELEPHONE SURVEY OF 38 LARGE-CITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING UNITS ON LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EVALUATION OF LEAA PROJECTS.
Abstract
SURVEY RESULTS REVEALED GREAT DISSATISFACTION WITH LEAA EVALUATION POLICIES. EIGHTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF THE CITIES SURVEYED REPORTED DOING SOME FORM OF PROJECT EVALUATION LOCALLY. A MAJORITY OF CITIES STATED THAT EVALUATION WAS MOST MEANINGFUL WHEN DONE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE CITIES FELT LOCAL EVALUATION PROVIDED A MORE TIMELY AND DEPENDABLE MANAGEMENT TOOL AND COULD BETTER IMPACT PROJECT PERFORMANCE. LOCAL PLANNING UNITS INDICATED THAT THEY HAD THE CAPABILITY TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS IF ADEQUATE RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE. MANY CITIES COMPLAINED THAT THEY WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF STATE EVALUATIONS, THE NEED FOR LOCAL EVALUATION WAS RATED AS THE TOP CONCERN OF THE CITIES RESPONDING TO THE SURVEY. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES CONTACTED SUGGESTED THAT THE STATE PLANNING AGENCY SHOULD HAVE NO ROLE IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE LEAA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL ROLE IN EVALUATION BY MAKING AVAILABLE LOCAL FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)