SAN DIEGO (CA) - SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY CONTROL (ANTI-FENCING) - FINAL EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 58963
• Author(s): S H CREEN; S PENNELL; B MACCARDELL
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 39 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Comprehensive Planning Organization
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CRIMES-AGAINST-PROPERTY CONTROL (ANTIFENCING) PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIF., TO IDENTIFY, ARREST, AND PROSECUTE PERSONS DEALING IN STOLEN GOODS.

Abstract

THE PROJECT EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED FOR DEALING IN STOLEN PROPERTY AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STOLEN PROPERTY RECOVERED IN THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT'S JURISDICTION, RESULTING IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED FENCES. IN EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROJECT, ISSUES OF PROJECT IMPACT ON OBJECTIVES, EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES, AND COMPARISON OF DISPOSITIONS FOR RECEIVING COMPLAINTS WERE ANALYZED. THE ONLY OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED BY PROJECT STAFF WAS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. THE UNDERCOVER STOREFRONT OPERATION WAS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR APPREHENDING THIEVES. THIS TECHNIQUE ALSO RESULTED IN THE SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED AND RETURNED TO OWNER/VICTIMS. THE FENCING UNIT HAD FEWER TOTAL COMPLAINTS RESULTING IN GUILTY DISPOSITIONS AND LESS SEVERE SENTENCES FOR DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON AND JAIL CONTRASTED WITH COMPLAINTS ISSUED FOR ARREST MADE BY OTHER SHERIFF DEPUTIES OR THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FENCING UNIT. THE FENCING UNIT IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HELPED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD BUT HAD NO IMPACT ON IMPROVING THE RATE OF PROPERTY RECOVERED IN THE SHERIFF'S JURISDICTION. THE FENCING UNIT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN IDENTIFYING A LARGE NUMBER OF MAJOR FENCES. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PROJECT INDICATES THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE ILLICIT RECEIPT OF STOLEN PROPERTY BESIDES MAJOR RECEIVERS. THESE PERSONS INCLUDE OCCASIONAL RECEIVERS AND 'MEN ON THE STREET' WHO ARE WILLING TO PURCHASE STOLEN ITEMS FOR A REDUCED PRICE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CONTINUED EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS AND MANPOWER TO FOCUS ON MAJOR RECEIVERS IS INAPPROPRIATE AND UNPRODUCTIVE. SUPPORTING DATA AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. AN APPENDIX CONTAINS THE QUESTIONNAIRE USED IN A SURVEY OF COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. (DEP)