NCJ Number
58058
Date Published
1976
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSES RESPONSES BY TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO INCREASES IN CRIME AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN 1974-75.
Abstract
THE MOST EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO CRIME IS THE CERTAINTY OF DETECTION AND APPREHENSION AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT WILL FOLLOW. CITIZENS SHOULD ADOPT MEASURES TO MAKE THEIR PERSONS AND PROPERTY LESS VULNERABLE TO CRIMINALS. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MANPOWER SHOULD BE INCREASED AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND CORRECTIONAL PROCESS ARE NEEDED. THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO IMPROVE ITS EFFECTIVENESS, INCLUDING AN EXPANDED FIELD LABORATORY PROGRAM, INCREASED SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SHERIFFS AND POLICE, AN EXTENSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND IMPROVED COLLECTION OF CRIME DATA. THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND NUMBER OF LICENSED DRIVERS IN TEXAS INCREASES CONSTANTLY. ALTHOUGH ACCIDENTS DECREASED IN 1974 BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY CRISIS, DRIVERS SEEM TO BE REVERTING TO OLD HABITS WITH A RESULTANT INCREASE IN ACCIDENTS. A PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE 55 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT. TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT MANPOWER IS INADEQUATE AND DOES NOT MEET NATIONAL STANDARDS. APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OF THE FUNDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT COME FROM GASOLINE TAXES AND REGISTRATION FEES. FINE MONEY COULD PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCE. IN CONCLUSION, IT IS STATED THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES CANNOT ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS UNLESS THEY ARE PROPERLY FUNDED AND EQUIPPED. (MJM)