NCJ Number
155971
Date Published
1994
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This Policy Brief summarizes the impact on California of the Federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (the Federal crime bill).
Abstract
The federal crime bill of 1994 will have a variety of impacts on California. Between 3,000 and 4,000 new law enforcement officers could be hired as California's share of the Cops On the Beat program designed to provide community-oriented policing. The addition of new law enforcement personnel will likely result in significant increases in the costs of the state and county criminal justice system, and significant short-term and long-term costs for hiring the new officers. California could qualify for up to $1.2 billion in grants for State prison construction, enough for the construction of five prisons. California and local entities stand to receive millions of dollars in Federal grant monies over the next 6 years for crime prevention. Funding for most programs will depend on future Federal appropriations which may be less than the amounts authorized by the bill. Most Federal funding will require a match by the state and local governments. In addition, because funding is limited to just six years, the State and local governments could incur substantial future costs to continue programs. Figures