NCJ Number
250708
Date Published
December 2016
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This first in a series of five Fact Sheets on an arrest alert system explains the benefits of an arrest alert system (AAS) and how it works.
Abstract
The AAS described was developed by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as a means of tracking priority cases that involve individuals responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime. An arrest alert immediately notifies prosecutors of priority arrests that involve a specific individual, charge, or location that has high priority in crime-control strategies. Under the arrest alert system, the District Attorney's Office creates an arrest alert for individuals, charges, and locations with high priority. Arrest data obtained by the police department are entered into the AAS. The AAS flags priority arrests and sends an email to prosecutors throughout each day and week. Filters allow the data to be grouped and analyzed. This Fact Sheet outlines eight benefits of an AAS in assisting prosecutors in their case-related decisionmaking. Samples of an AAS email and computer screen are provided.