NCJ Number
19346
Date Published
1974
Length
75 pages
Annotation
THIS PROJECT FUNDED AN ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL UNIT WITHIN THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONCENTRATE ON OPERATING LOTTERY VIOLATIONS, NARCOTICS, LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS, PROSTITUTION, AND GAMBLING.
Abstract
THE OPERATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THESE FIVE AREAS ARE DISCUSSED FROM TWO POINTS OF REFERENCE - THE DISTRICT PLAINCLOTHESMAN STREET LEVEL OPERATION AND THE CITYWIDE ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT FUNCTION. THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE GRANT INVOLVED COMPILATION, COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS OF STATISTICAL DATA FROM THE ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT AND DISTRICT STATIONS, INTERVIEWS AND CONFERENCES WITH POLICE AND COURT OFFICIALS, INTERVIEWS WITH OFFENDERS, AND THE EXAMINATION OF POLICE AND COURT RECORDS AND FILES. THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE COMPARATIVE ARREST STATISTICS OF THE DISTRICT STATIONS AND THE ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT IN ALL FIVE AREAS. THE GENERAL DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS FROM 1973 TO 1974 IS ATTRIBUTED TO A REDUCTION IN PLAINCLOTHESMEN MANPOWER AT THE DISTRICT STATION LEVEL. A SHARP REDUCTION IN NARCOTICS ARRESTS IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE REDUCTION OF THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS AND THE RISE IN COST OF THOSE DRUGS ON THE MARKET IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA. ALSO CONSIDERED ARE THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN RELATION TO RECORD KEEPING FOR DISCHARGED CASES AND CASES POSTPONED INDEFINITELY, THE CONTROL OF ILLICIT GOODS 'BUY' FUNDS DISSEMINATION PROCEDURES, CRIME LAB REPORTING, COMPLAINT AND WARRANT PROCEDURES, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, AND CAR RENTALS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS IN EACH OF THESE AREAS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)