NCJ Number
157096
Date Published
1995
Length
134 pages
Annotation
The role of special assessment districts as a means of future funding for police agencies in California and other areas was examined.
Abstract
The research used information from official records, from representatives of the public and private sectors who took part in a nominal group technique exercise. Results revealed that both community and professional experiences in the past 5 years strongly indicate that funding will be one of the most important areas of concern for the city of La Mesa, Calif., and its police department. Increasing crime, the State's general economic situations, and the attitude of taxpayers make significant general tax increases unlikely. Funding through grants and asset seizure is only a partial solution and subject to varying conditions. A strategy of identifying specific law enforcement needs within defined areas of the city and passing special assessment district measures based on those needs was selected as the preferred strategy. The analysis indicated that marketing and well- planned approaches to election campaigns will have a critical part in the passage of such measures. Results indicated that special assessment districts represent a viable funding alternative for police agencies but are unlikely to become a predominant funding method due to the variety of funding mechanisms available to local government. Therefore, police agencies should consider many options and choose the one best suited to their circumstances. Figures, reference notes, appended additional results, and 13 references