NCJ Number
180330
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 2 Issue: 9 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) began in April 1993 and was tested in five police districts before being implemented in 279 beats throughout the city.
Abstract
With CAPS, a team of police officers was assigned to each beat and used problem-solving strategies in the community when answering calls for service and on an initiative basis. Rapid response units were assigned excess or low-priority calls to support beat officers. Advisory committees consulted with police officers on their beat, and problems and resources available to address them were identified in targeted areas. The process resulted in a coordinated plan of action to reduce crime. CAPS was evaluated in 1998 using field observations and questionnaires completed by community beat meeting participants. These meetings were held to provide a forum for community members and police to share information, identify problems, and develop action plans. In addition, 1,880 Chicago residents participated in a telephone survey. Survey questions addressed various aspects of resident and police involvement in community policing, including informal social control and political mobilization. Evaluation findings showed program components such as the use of computerized crime analysis, continuity of beat assignments, and beat integrity and composition were ranked satisfactory or above. Conversely, the practice of exchanging information between police officers during shift changes, effective intradepartmental forms use, sergeant intervention during dispatch problems, and quality of beat plans were given low ratings. Low ratings were also given with regard to the effectiveness of sector teams and district management team meetings and the usefulness and dissemination of each district's plans. Few district commanders effectively supported CAPS; rather, they simply met minimum requirements. Court advocacy and beat community meetings were the most highly rated components in the area of community partnership activities. Overall, community awareness of and participation in CAPS increased between 1993 and 1998. Additional initiatives developed in support of CAPS are noted. 2 tables and 1 figure