NCJ Number
75616
Date Published
1981
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This report contains 1980 crime statistics for the San Diego, Calif., region and an analysis of crime trends over the past 5 years, along with reviews of LEAA projects funded since 1972.
Abstract
The number of crimes per 1,000 population increased by 6 percent between 1979 and 1980 in the San Diego region. Property crimes constituted 86 percent of the major offenses committed in 1980. All jurisdictions experienced a decrease in the clearance and property recovery rates. The report discusses burglary, robbery, and aggravated assaults in detail and provides an overview of the criminal justice system by tracking adult felony arrests from the initial arrest through disposition and sentencing. Data on felony arrests are presented for individual police jurisdictions and then compared to statewide statistics. A review of LEAA projects funded between 1972 and 1980 indicates that early programs focused on improving system capabilities and apprehension of offenders involved in specific crimes. Recently, programs have shifted to prevention efforts, juvenile diversion, and assistance to victims of assault and abuse. The report notes the reasons why LEAA programs failed to affect reported crimes and lists some positive LEAA program results. LEAA established an automated regional information system, involved other community agencies in criminal justice matters, and alerted local officials to the importance of planning and accountability. An outline of the potential activities of a criminal justice planning board and staff includes the tasks of coordination, evaluation, and technical assistance. Abstracts of preliminary evaluations on social assault projects, the Automated Regional Justice Information System, a child abuse project, and a truancy reduction program are provided, along with a list of evaluations completed since 1977 and their costs. The appendix describes a model evaluation system for criminal justice agencies. Graphs and charts illustrate the statistical data.