NCJ Number
175227
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A survey of municipal, county, and consolidated law enforcement agencies in the United States serving populations greater than 50,000 or employing more than 100 sworn officers was conducted to assess police perceptions of homeless persons and the role police agencies played in response to this population.
Abstract
Data were collected using mailed questionnaires to 650 agencies; 525 responses were received, for a response rate of 80.8 percent. Detailed data are provided on how police rate the presence of homeless people in their communities as a general problem and as a police problem, perceptions of the police response to homeless persons and crime, the racial mix of homeless persons, police calls received per day on homeless persons, types of records kept on homeless persons, and police policies and practices related to homeless persons. Statistics are also included on police officer training in how to deal with homeless persons, police contacts with homeless persons, and the availability of homeless shelters. 30 tables and 1 figure