NCJ Number
52323
Journal
PLANNING Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 29-31
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
ALTHOUGH OFFENSE STATISTICS INDICATE THAT CRIME IS DECLINING, IT IS ARGUED THAT CONTINUED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING IS NEEDED, EVEN IN THE WAKE OF LEAA'S RETRENCHMENT AND THREATENED DEMISE.
Abstract
IN THE FACE OF INCREASING WORKLOADS AND DECREASING CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING, LEAA OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN FORCED GRADUALLY TO WITHDRAW OR CURTAIL ITS OVERSIGHT OF STATE-BASED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS. IN SEPTEMBER 1977, LEAA CLOSED ITS 10 REGIONAL OFFICES AND PULLED BACK ALMOST ALL OF ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAMMING FUNCTIONS TO WASHINGTON. THE STATE PLANNING AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY HAVE BEEN WARNED TO EXPECT A 30 PERCENT CUT IN FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1979, AND FURTHER, THE LEAA PHASEOUT PROMISED BY THE PRESIDENT ALREADY HAS BEGUN. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF LEAA'S DOWNHILL RIDE, PLANNING, AS A TOOL, HAS NOT BEEN USED TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD. BASICALLY, PLANNING WAS NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE. ITS DATA BASE WAS INADEQUATE, THERE WAS NOT TIME TO SETTLE DOWN INTO A STRUCTURED DISCIPLINE, AND IT WAS THE TARGET OF BUREAUCRATIC REFORMERS ALMOST FROM ITS INCEPTION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CONCEPT OF THE PROGRAM--THE BLOCK GRANT--WAS CALLED INTO QUESTION. STATES AND AGENCIES BEGAN QUESTIONING THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BLOCK GRANT INITIATIVE, AND IN 1975, CALIFORNIA CLOSED DOWN THE STATE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING LEAA AND THE SAFE STREETS ACT, CLAIMING IT WAS UNNECESSARY AND EXPENSIVE. THIS DEEMPHASIS ON PLANNING DID NOT OCCUR BECAUSE LEAA OR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS WON THE WAR ON CRIME. MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THE 1976 DECREASE OFFENSE STATISTICS TO BE DUE TO UNRELATED FACTORS, SUCH AS THE UNSEASONABLY BAD WINTER WEATHER WHICH, IT IS ARGUED, MAY HAVE AFFECTED CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY. LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED TO MAINTAIN PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF LEAA REORGANIZATION. (KBL)