NCJ Number
58592
Date Published
1978
Length
46 pages
Annotation
A RESOURCE DOCUMENT FOR COMMUNITY CITIZEN EFFORTS IN CRIME PREVENTION, THIS BACKGROUND REPORT REVIEWS THE CRIME IMPACT ON TEXAS AND THE NATION, EXPLORES WAYS FOR CITIZENS TO RESPOND, AND OUTLINES RECENT LEGISLATION.
Abstract
ACCORDING TO FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, CRIME RATES IN BOTH TEXAS AND THE U.S. AS A WHOLE ARE ALARMINGLY HIGH, DESPITE A DECLINE FROM 1975 TO 1976; THIS IS PARTICULARLY UPSETTING BECAUSE THE REPORTS DO NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL RATE OF CRIME BUT ONLY THE RATE OF REPORTED CRIME. ARREST DATA INDICATE THAT MANY OF THE CRIMINALS ARE YOUNG, WITH ALMOST 20 PERCENT OF THOSE ARRESTED FOR CRIMES OF BURGLARY AND LARCENY-THEFT BEING UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE. WELL OVER HALF THE PERSONS ARRESTED FOR ALL CRIMES WERE UNDER 21. IN REACTION TO THIS OUTBREAK OF CRIME AND ITS RESULTING CLIMATE OF FEAR, TEXAS AND OTHER STATES HAVE BEGUN DEVELOPING REMEDIES FOR PREVENTION WITH AND WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF LEAA. EXAMPLES OF THESE ARE THE ENACTMENT OF MANDATORY PRISON SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES COMMITTED WITH DEADLY WEAPONS, USE OF DEFINITE SENTENCES IN PLACE OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCES, SPECIAL PROJECTS AIMED AT IDENTIFYING HABITUAL OFFENDERS AND PROSECUTING THEM SPEEDILY, 'GET-TOUGH' POLICIES FOR REPEAT JUVENILE OFFENDERS, AND STRICTER LEGISLATION ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES SUCH AS MANDATORY SUPERVISIONS, ORGANIZED CRIME, AND BAIL. TECHNIQUES OF CRIME PREVENTION GENERALLY CONCENTRATE ON TARGET HARDENING OR DECREASING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. A SAMPLING OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS IS PRESENTED, AND THEIR EXISTENCE IN TEXAS IS NOTED WHEN APPLICABLE. INCLUDED ARE CITIZEN CRIME COMMISSIONS (OPERATION IDENTIFICATION, DEFENSE WHISTLES, HELPING HAND, ETC.), SPECIALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROJECTS SUCH AS UNITS TO COMBAT CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN OR THE ELDERLY, AND WORKSHOPS AND COURSES IN CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES OFFERED BY CRIME PREVENTION INSTITUTES AND ASSOCIATIONS. TABLES, FIGURES, FOOTNOTES, AND SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)