NCJ Number
36598
Journal
URBAN DATA SERVICE Volume: 8 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1976) Pages: WHOLE ISSUE
Date Published
1976
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CONTAINS A SURVEY WHICH CONSIDERS THE APPORTIONMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BLOCK GRANTS DISTRIBUTED TO THE CITIES UNDER THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968.
Abstract
SINCE 1968 OVER $4.2 BILLION IN FEDERAL AID HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT AS AMENDED. SEVENTY-NINE PERCENT OF THE CITIES REPORTING HAVE RECEIVED CRIME CONTROL FUNDS UNDER THE ACT. ALMOST HALF (47 PERCENT) OF THE CITIES REPORTING HAVE ASSIGNED PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL CRIME CONTROL FUNDS TO EXISTING AGENCIES. SEVENTY-ONE PERCENT OF THE REPORTING CITIES FEEL THAT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS PASSED THROUGH TO LOCALITIES BY STATES IS NOT EQUITABLE AND DOES NOT REFLECT A BALANCE BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL NEEDS. HOWEVER, NEARLY HALF (48 PERCENT) OF THE CITIES REPORTING FEEL THAT THEIR OWN JURISDICTION HAS RECEIVED A FAIR SHARE OF THE FUNDS PASSED THROUGH. SURVEY RESPONDENTS INDICATE THAT FEDERAL CRIME CONTROL FUNDS HAVE INFLUENCED IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT MUNICIPAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. NEARLY HALF (47 PERCENT) OF THE CITIES REPORT THAT FEDERAL FUNDS HAVE PRODUCED A 'MODERATE' EFFECT ON REDUCING CRIME OR SLOWING THE GROWTH OF CRIME RATES, WHILE ONE-FOURTH REPORT A 'SUBSTANTIAL' (22 PERCENT) OR 'GREAT' (3 PERCENT) EFFECT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)