NCJ Number
15092
Journal
URBAN ANALYSIS Volume: 2 Dated: (1974) Pages: 51-91
Date Published
1974
Length
41 pages
Annotation
DESCRIBES A COMPUTER MODEL THAT ESTIMATES THE OPERATING PERFORMANCE OF RADIO-DISPATCHED POLICE CARS IN THE FIELD, GIVING CERTAIN DATA REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF CALLS FOR SERVICES AND OTHER FACTORS.
Abstract
A NEWLY DEVELOPED COMPUTER PROGRAM, BASED ON A MULTISERVER QUEUING MODEL, IS APPLIED TO THE PROBLEM OF POLICE SECTOR REDESIGN IN PART OF THE CITY OF BOSTON. USING COMMONLY AVAILABLE DATA DESCRIBING PATTERNS OF CALLS FOR SERVICE, TRAVEL TIMES, DISPATCHING STRATEGIES, AND OTHER FACTORS, THE MODEL COMPUTES NUMERICAL VALUES OF SEVERAL OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THESE INCLUDE MEAN TRAVEL TIMES, WORKLOADS, AND FRACTIONS OF DISPATCHES THAT ARE CROSS-SECTOR. USING 1971 CALL-FOR-SERVICE DATA, A CASE EXAMPLE IS WORKED OUT REQUIRING FOUR ITERATIONS BETWEEN THE PLANNER AND THE MODEL FOR DISTRICT FOUR IN BOSTON. PRIOR TO THE ITERATIONS, AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO DESCRIBE THE LOGIC OR INTUITION OR RULES-OF-THUMB THAT ARE USED IN ARRIVING AT VARIOUS SECTOR DESIGNS. MEMBERS OF A RESOURCE ALLOCATION TASK FORCE AT THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT UTILIZED SEVERAL CONCEPTS OF THIS METHODOLOGY IN A MASSIVE MANPOWER REALLOCATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN SEPTEMBER 1973.