NCJ Number
2343
Date Published
1968
Length
92 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES IN THE AREA OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN AMERICA ARE EXAMINED, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTION DIRECTED AT CRIME CONTROL DURING 1967-1968 IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
SINCE THE 1960'S, SEVERAL SCIENTIFIC STUDIES CONCERNED WITH VIOLENCE IN AMERICA HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. A SPECIAL REPORT ON VIOLENCE PREPARED BY EDITORIAL RESEARCH REPORTS, WHICH PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF ONE SUCH STUDY, IS SUMMARIZED; IT EXPLORES VIOLENCE IN AMERICAN HISTORY, IN MEDIA AND THE ARTS, AND IN THE SUPPRESSION OF RACIAL GROUPS. CAUSES OF AGGRESSION IN HUMAN BEINGS AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL CONTROL OF AGGRESSION IS DISCUSSED. FEDERAL ACTION AIMED AT CRIME CONTROL WAS INITIATED BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON IN 1967 WITH THE PROPOSAL OF THE SAFE STREETS AND CRIME CONTROL ACT. THE BILL WOULD CHANNEL FUNDS TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES. IT WAS SUBJECTED TO MUCH DEBATE AND REVISION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FINALLY EMERGED WITH AMENDMENTS WHICH PROVIDED FOR BLOCK GRANTS TO STATE GOVERNMENTS RATHER THAN LOCAL DEPARTMENTS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINAL BILL IS DISCUSSED. CONGRESS ENACTED AN OMNIBUS ACT IN 1967 AMENDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CRIMINAL CODE. THE BILL AUTHORIZED WARRANTLESS ARRESTS FOR CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS, PROVIDED FOR 3-HOUR INVESTIGATIVE DETENTION, MADE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE A CRIME, INCREASED CERTAIN MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES, AND ADDED SUBSTANTIAL PENALTIES FOR INCITING TO RIOT. LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON THE BILL IN CONGRESS IS DESCRIBED. IN 1968, FEDERAL ACTION CONCERNING CRIME INCLUDED VARIOUS USES OF THE SAFE STREETS ACT. PRESIDENT JOHNSON ALSO OUTLINED A 22-POINT ANTICRIME PROGRAM CONTAINING ENDORSEMENTS FOR LEGISLATION ON RIOT CONTROL AND ILLEGAL DRUG USE AND POSSESSION. MAJOR ACTIONS TAKEN BY CONGRESS WERE IN THESE AREAS: (1) THE SAFE STREETS ACT; (2) JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; (3) GUN CONTROL; (4) WIRETAPPING; (5) ANTIRIOT MEASURES; (6) DRUG ABUSE; (7) PROTECTION OF RIGHTS; AND (8) BANK PROTECTION. THE LEGISLATION CONCERNED WITH EACH OF THESE TOPICS IS DESCRIBED. YOUTH CRIME AND THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY LAW ENACTED IN 1968 ARE GIVEN PARTICULAR ATTENTION. RULINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT ARE REVIEWED REGARDING ANTICRIME MEASURES. DECISIONS UPHOLDING BROADER POLICE POWER AND THE DRAFT-CARD-BURNING AMENDMENT ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRIME CONTROL IS DESCRIBED IN THE FINAL CHAPTER, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY, AND CITIZEN AND ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION. THE TEXT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE 14TH AMENDMENT ARE APPENDED. (DAG)