NCJ Number
17030
Date Published
1974
Length
45 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONS, AND EFFECTS OF THIS PROJECT WHICH EMPLOYS 'BLENDING AND DECOY' TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE HIGH QUALITY ARRESTS FOR VIOLENT STREET CRIMES.
Abstract
IN THIS UNIT, THE DECOY, DISGUISED AS A POTENTIAL VICTIM OF A CRIME PLACES HIMSELF OR HERSELF IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF BECOMING THE VICTIM OF A CRIME. A BACK-UP TEAM, DRESSED TO BLEND INTO THE AREA, IS STATIONED NEARBY, READY TO COME TO THE DECOY'S AID WHEN ATTACKED AND TO MAKE THE ARREST. DEPLOYMENT, STAFF SELECTION AND TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT ARE DESCRIBED. IT WAS FOUND THAT ARRESTS, AND CONVICTIONS RESULTING FROM ARRESTS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY USING THIS TACTIC. HOWEVER, AN ANALYSIS OF CRIME REDUCTION AS A RESULT OF THE ANTI-CRIME PATROL PROVED INCONCLUSIVE. OTHER CONCERNS ARISING FROM THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM, SUCH AS DISPLACEMENT EFFECTS, SAFETY OF OFFICERS, BYSTANDERS AND ALLEGED OFFENDERS, CORRUPTION, ENTRAPMENT, AND DISSENTION BETWEEN THE SPECIALIZED UNITS AND BEAT PATROL OFFICERS ARE DISCUSSED. ALSO ADDRESSED ARE THE SELECTION OF UNIT PERSONNEL, THE EMPHASIS ON ARREST QUALITY, FIELD OPERATION PLANNING, THE COORDINATION WITH PRECINCT COMMANDS, AND THE ABILITY TO SAFELY MANAGE VIOLENT SITUATIONS. PROJECT WEAKNESSES WERE THE SELECTION OF ASSIGNMENT AREAS, ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES, AND ITS EVALUATION COMPONENT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF THE STREET CRIME UNIT ON ROBBERY AND GRAND LARCENY IS APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)