NCJ Number
32199
Date Published
1976
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THIS FEASIBILITY STUDY EXPLORED THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A THREE-CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSOLIDATION AND EXAMINED THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGE AMUSEMENT PARK ON LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.
Abstract
THE THREE CITIES REQUESTING THIS ASSISTANCE WERE STROUD, WITH A POPULATION OF 2,600 AND SWORN POLICE STRENGTH OF 10; DAVENPORT, WITH A POPULATION OF 880 AND SWORN POLICE STRENGTH OF ONE; AND KENDRICK, WITH A POPULATION OF 158 AND SWORN POLICE STRENGTH OF FIVE. IN THIS REPORT, DATED FEBRUARY 19, 1976, THE DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC, GEOGRAPHIC, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE THREE CITIES ARE FIRST EXAMINED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE PLANNED AMUSEMENT PARK WILL BE A 1,800-ACRE FACILITY LOCATED IN A TRIANGLE BETWEEN THE THREE MUNICIPALITIES ADDRESSED IN THIS STUDY. THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM STATED THAT THESE CITIES WERE DESIROUS OF COMBINING THEIR EFFORTS TO ALLOW FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY. MAJOR PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THESE THREE CITIES WERE THE LACK OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, LACK OF A COORDINATED POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND LACK OF ABILITY TO COPE WITH AN INFLUX OF WORKERS AND TOURISTS EXPECTED AS A RESULT OF THE AMUSEMENT PARK. THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE THREE CITIES SEPARATELY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES, MANPOWER, OR FUNDS TO GIVE ADEQUATE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES TO CITIZENS. IT WAS FURTHER CONCLUDED THAT THESE THREE TOWNS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEMS POSED BY THE AMUSEMENT PARK UNLESS THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A SINGLE UNIT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT LEAA GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO APPROVING THE RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT APPLICATION OF THESE CITIES. SPECIFIC FUNDING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.