NCJ Number
11142
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
TWO CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS AIMED AT OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM PRIVATE CITIZENS REGARDING SERIOUS CRIMES AND DRUG DEALING.
Abstract
MANY CITIZENS ARE QUICK TO COMPLAIN THAT THE POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS. THE FACT IS, IF THE BATTLE AGAINST CRIME AND DRUGS IS EVER TO BE WON, LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES CAN'T DO IT ALONE. HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WAR AGAINST CRIME AND DRUG PUSHERS DESCRIBES TWO WAYS IN WHICH CITIZENS CAN INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY FURNISHING INFORMATION ABOUT WANTED CRIMINALS OR HARDDRUG PUSHERS TO AUTHORITIES THROUGH CONFIDENTIAL CHANNELS. THESE PROGRAMS, CALLED SECRET WITNESS AND TIP (TURN IN A PUSHER), HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS, MANY OF WHICH MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ATTAINABLE THROUGH NORMAL POLICE PROCEDURES. EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN OF THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED IN MANY COMMUNITIES USING SUCH PROGRAMS. THE SECRET OF THESE PROGRAMS IS CONFIDENTIALITY. MANY INDIVIDUALS WOULD LIKE TO HELP BUT ARE AFRAID TO DIVULGE INFORMATION FOR FEAR OF REPRISALS. THEREFORE, CHANNELS ARE ESTABLISHED THROUGH LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO OR TV STATIONS WHICH PRIVATE CITIZENS CAN CONTACT ANONYMOUSLY, BY CALL OR LETTER, TO REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME. THIS INFORMATION IS THEN TURNED OVER TO THE POLICE AND REWARDS, WHEN APPROPRIATE, ARE PAID OUT IN A WAY TO GUARANTEE CONTINUED ANONYMITY. GUIDELINES ARE OFFERED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS OR A SIMILAR ONE TO MEET PARTICULAR COMMUNITY NEEDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)