NCJ Number
70289
Journal
Evaluation annd Change Dated: Special Issue (1980) Pages: 120-126
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Begun as a grant project to help reduce crime, the Pima County Victim/Witness program in Tucson, Ariz., has gained support because of its willingness to respond to a variety of client and community needs through innovative service delivery approaches.
Abstract
In 1978, the program concentrated on helping the police handle the emotional needs of crime victims, settle domestic and neighborhood disputes with follow-up visits and referrals to other social services agencies when necessary), on helping witnesses understand court procedures and on providing transportation to the court. In addition, the program took over such time consuming police functions as death notification reports and aid to persons in need of assistance, such as suicidal or disoriented persons, or abandoned children. Since the program saved the police and the courts time and money (e.g., it cost $40 to $60 per hour to keep a patrol officer in the field, as compared with $21 per hour to field a victim/witness team), and proved to be an important service. It won community support and made the transition from Federal to local funding and a new and vigorous aproach to services integration. A description of evaluation problems is included.