NCJ Number
42626
Date Published
1975
Length
130 pages
Annotation
THIS IS A REPORT ON A PROGRAM THAT WAS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A 10 PERCENT REDUCTION IN PREDICTED BURGLARY RATES FOR 3 POLICE PATROL TEST SECTORS IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
Abstract
ONE PHASE OF THE PROGRAM'S ACTIVITIES INVOLVED USING CIVILIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS TO STIMULATE PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION, ESTABLISH CITIZEN BLOCK WATCHES, PROMOTE HOME SURVEYS, AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AMONG CITIZENS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE SECOND PROGRAM ELEMENT RELATED TO POLICE TACTICS AND REQUIRED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FORECASTING CAPABILITY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF VULNERABLE HOMES; ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEAM POLICING ORGANIZATION FOR THE TARGET SECTORS; AND DEVELOPMENT OF REPORTING OF AN UNABATED GROWTH OF CRIME...RCB DEVELOPED APPREHENSION STRATEGIES: THE DETECTIVE MANPOWER WAS INCREASED, A FINGERPRINT FILE WAS ESTABLISHED, ELECTRONIC TRAKING DEVICES WERE EMPLOYED, AND PORTABLE STAKEOUT ALARMS WERE USED. AMONG RESULTS OF THE STUDY, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION TACTICS WERE EFFECTIVE FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED PROGRAM SERVICES. IN ADDITION, THE EXPANSION OF THE DETECTIVE UNITS PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF INCREASING ARRESTS. FURTHER, THE ADDITION OF A COMPUTERIZED SINGLE FINGERPRINT UNIT, WHICH LINKED SUSPECTS TO LATENT PRINTS, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE OVERALL REDUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN SEATTLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...KAP