IMPACT ON CRIME OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

• NCJ Number: 36012
• Journal: Columbia Human Rights Law Review Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1973) Pages: 27-54
• Author(s): G GUDE; G J MANNINA
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 28 pages
• Corporate Author: Columbia University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE EVALUATES THE EFFECT LEAA-SPONSORED CRIME CONTROL PROGRAMS HAD ON THE STEADY DECLINE IN CRIME RATES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FROM 1970-72.

Abstract

ASSESSED IS THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS FUNDED BY LEAA IN THE AREAS OF DRUG-RELATED CRIME, IMPROVEMENT OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE COURT SYSTEM, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE DECREASE IN DISTRICT CRIME RATES WAS PARTLY DUE TO LEAA, BUT THAT LEAA MIGHT HAVE ACHIEVED BETTER RESULTS AND LAID BETTER GROUNDWORK FOR FUTURE EFFORTS IF FOUR MAJOR WEAKNESSES IN ITS OPERATION HAD BEEN RECOGNIZED FROM THE BEGINNING. DISCUSSED ARE LEAA PROGRAM CHOICES WHICH ILLUSTRATE HOW LEAA SPONSORED DUPLICATIVE PROGRAMS, HOW THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT ALLOWED SYSTEMATIC DUPLICATION TO PERSIST, HOW LEAA SPONSORED PROGRAMS ON AN INDIVIDUAL RATHER THAN A SYSTEM-WIDE PRIORITY BASIS, AND HOW LEAA FAILED TO IMPLEMENT ADEQUATE PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING APPROVED PROGRAMS.