ST PETERSBURG (FL) - PROJECT CONCERN - FINAL EVALUATION REPORT

• NCJ Number: 61361
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 65 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Arthur Young and Co
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS FINAL EVALUATION REPORT ON THE ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., PROJECT CONCERN, A PROGRAM TO REDUCE CRIME AND FEAR OF CRIME IN AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR CRIME, DESCRIBES AND EVALUATES THE PROJECT AND RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS.

Abstract

THE LEAA-FUNDED PROJECT CONCERN OPERATED FROM MAY UNTIL JULY 1977. IT ADDRESSED POTENTIAL OFFENDERS, POTENTIAL CRIME TARGETS, AND POTENTIAL VICTIMS THROUGH THREE PROGRAMS: YOUTH SERVICES AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, CITIZEN EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT EMPHASIZED VICTIM ASSISTANCE. EACH PROGRAM CONTAINED NUMEROUS SUBACTIVITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITIZEN EDUCATION PROGRAM INCLUDED PROVIDING ADVICE ON PERSONAL SECURITY AND CRIME REPORTING, HOME SECURITY INSPECTIONS, OPERATION IDENTIFICATION, FREE LOCKS FOR ELIGIBLE ELDERLY, PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, INFORMATION BROCHURES, AND OTHER COMPONENTS. ALL ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZED A PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE APPROACH, AS WELL AS DECENTRALIZATION OF SERVICES. THE PRESENT EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED BY AN OUTSIDE FIRM WHICH USED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, DOCUMENT REVIEWS, AND INTERVIEWS WITH PROJECT PERSONNEL AND CITY OFFICIALS. EVALUATORS FOUND THAT, ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THE PROJECT'S PLANNING WAS POORLY CONDUCTED, CRIME HAS BEEN REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE TWO TARGET AREAS. IN THE SOUTHSIDE AREA, EVALUATED CRIME DROPPED 21 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND 42 PERCENT IN 2 YEARS. IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THE DECLINES WERE 10 AND 31 PERCENT. THE VALUE OF PROPERTY STOLEN ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL CRIME REDUCTION THE CITY EXPERIENCED DURING THE SAME PERIOD. MOST PROGRAM OBJECTIVES WERE MET OR EXCEEDED. PROBLEM AREAS INCLUDED INFLEXIBILITY DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF OBJECTIVES, POOR COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, AND AN INEFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. THE COMPLEX AND LENGTHY LEAA FUNDING PROCESS ALSO HAMPERED THE PROJECT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT LEAA FUNDING CONTINUE, THAT THE NUMBER OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES BE REDUCED, THAT MANAGEMENT BE INTEGRATED INTO ST. PETERSBURG'S OVERALL CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. EXTENSIVE TABLES AND EXHIBITS ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)