targeted enforcement gary cordner eastern kentucky university

Targeted EnforcementTargeted Enforcement

Gary Cordner

Eastern Kentucky University

Program Sites

Irving’s Parolee Enforcement Tarrant Co. Multi-Agency Northeast Street

Crimes Unit (NSCU) El Paso’s Auto Theft Task Force San Antonio’s Youth Firearms Violence

Initiative

Irving’s Parolee EnforcementIrving’s Parolee Enforcement

PURPOSEPURPOSE The Irving Police Department has begun focusing The Irving Police Department has begun focusing enforcement attention on parolees living in their enforcement attention on parolees living in their jurisdiction, particularly those with outstanding jurisdiction, particularly those with outstanding warrants. warrants. Initial efforts revealed that a high percentage of Initial efforts revealed that a high percentage of parolees did have outstanding warrants, and that parolees did have outstanding warrants, and that many could be arrested and re-incarcerated. many could be arrested and re-incarcerated.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A new strategy for the Tactical Unit which had more A new strategy for the Tactical Unit which had more time as a result of declining street crime time as a result of declining street crime Began with enforcing outstanding county warrants Began with enforcing outstanding county warrants Using the monthly parolee list provided by TDCJ, it Using the monthly parolee list provided by TDCJ, it was discovered that a high percentage of parolees in was discovered that a high percentage of parolees in Irving had outstanding county and state warrants Irving had outstanding county and state warrants When the parolee list is received, it is checked for When the parolee list is received, it is checked for people with outstanding warrants people with outstanding warrants For those wanted, an intelligence file is created for For those wanted, an intelligence file is created for all known information about violators all known information about violators


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION Information is given to the Tactical Unit which Information is given to the Tactical Unit which makes a concerted effort to find those wanted makes a concerted effort to find those wanted Related tactical unit strategies include…Related tactical unit strategies include… ++ Surveillance of parolees suspected of being involved in Surveillance of parolees suspected of being involved in current criminal activity (particularly violent crime) current criminal activity (particularly violent crime) ++ Work more closely with parole officers Work more closely with parole officers ++ Regularly review county warrant list for familiar Regularly review county warrant list for familiar names and people with multiple outstanding warrants names and people with multiple outstanding warrants This is an This is an offender-focusedoffender-focused strategy supplementing their strategy supplementing their offense-focusedoffense-focused efforts efforts


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS

Availability of comprehensive information from TDCJAvailability of comprehensive information from TDCJ Ability of department to field a full force Tactical Unit Ability of department to field a full force Tactical Unit (1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, 12 officers--2 with K-9) (1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, 12 officers--2 with K-9) The drop in street crime gave the unit more time to The drop in street crime gave the unit more time to become involved in new, more proactive strategies become involved in new, more proactive strategies Irving appears to have a disproportionately high Irving appears to have a disproportionately highnumber of parolees living in the city (particularly in number of parolees living in the city (particularly in the apartment complexes adjacent to Dallas)the apartment complexes adjacent to Dallas)


PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS

Over 50 parolees with outstanding were identified Over 50 parolees with outstanding were identified quickly at the start of the program quickly at the start of the program ++ Many were arrested within three months Many were arrested within three months As an indirect measure of success, the list of wanted As an indirect measure of success, the list of wanted parolees living in Irving is 17% shorter than when parolees living in Irving is 17% shorter than when the program was first implemented the program was first implemented The program is too new to determine long-term effects The program is too new to determine long-term effects or even if it is needed over the long term or even if it is needed over the long term

Tarrant Co. Multi-Agency Tarrant Co. Multi-Agency Northeast Street Crimes UnitNortheast Street Crimes Unit

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTION Six agencies participate in the NSCU… Six agencies participate in the NSCU… ++ North Richland Hills Police Department North Richland Hills Police Department ++ Richland Hills Police Department Richland Hills Police Department ++ Haltom City Police Department Haltom City Police Department ++ Watauga Department of Public Safety Watauga Department of Public Safety ++ Southlake Police Department Southlake Police Department ++ Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department The jurisdictions are basically located within the The jurisdictions are basically located within the northeast quadrant of Tarrant County between Fort northeast quadrant of Tarrant County between Fort Worth and the Denton County line Worth and the Denton County line


PURPOSE PURPOSE The participating agencies have entered into a formal The participating agencies have entered into a formal agreement to staff and utilize a multi-agency street agreement to staff and utilize a multi-agency street crimes unit. crimes unit. The unit provides three types of services within The unit provides three types of services within participating jurisdictions participating jurisdictions ++ Immediate investigative response to major crimes Immediate investigative response to major crimes ++ Coordinated gang enforcement Coordinated gang enforcement ++ Targeted street crime enforcement Targeted street crime enforcement


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION Purpose of creation…Purpose of creation… ++ Deal with major crime problems likely involving Deal with major crime problems likely involving multiple jurisdictions multiple jurisdictions ++ More efficient use of police resources More efficient use of police resources Primarily gang enforcement, but includes other street Primarily gang enforcement, but includes other street crimes crimes The relationship between the agencies is a formal one The relationship between the agencies is a formal one supported by an “interlocal agreement,” governed by supported by an “interlocal agreement,” governed by a Board of Directors composed of the Chiefs of Police a Board of Directors composed of the Chiefs of Police Each agency assigns at least one full time officer each Each agency assigns at least one full time officer each year year


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION The budget is based on each city’s portion of the area The budget is based on each city’s portion of the area population (total 1997 budget was $26,475) population (total 1997 budget was $26,475) The unit… The unit… ++ Supervised by a North Richland Hills Sergeant Supervised by a North Richland Hills Sergeant ++ Sergeant reports to a NRHPD Captain who answers Sergeant reports to a NRHPD Captain who answers to the to the Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors The NSCU provides three services… The NSCU provides three services… ++ Investigative response to major crimes/incidents Investigative response to major crimes/incidents ++ Gang intelligence and enforcement for the area Gang intelligence and enforcement for the area ++ Targeted enforcement of emerging crime problems Targeted enforcement of emerging crime problems



The formal agreement between the agencies The formal agreement between the agencies All NSCU officers have sworn authority in all All NSCU officers have sworn authority in all participating jurisdictions participating jurisdictions Careful selection of personnel who get along well Careful selection of personnel who get along well with others, who can accomplish their goals, and not with others, who can accomplish their goals, and not act like act like prima donnasprima donnas Explicit definition of the Unit’s mission Explicit definition of the Unit’s mission On-going and open communications between the On-going and open communications between the members of the Board of Directors members of the Board of Directors



For arrests made the Unit has a 100% conviction rate For arrests made the Unit has a 100% conviction rate A number of targeted enforcement actions have led to A number of targeted enforcement actions have led to successful apprehensions successful apprehensions It is reported that gang members fear the Unit It is reported that gang members fear the Unit The Unit appears to be a logical and wise use of The Unit appears to be a logical and wise use of resources, however a formal evaluation has not been resources, however a formal evaluation has not been done done

El Paso’s Auto Theft Task ForceEl Paso’s Auto Theft Task Force

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTIONEl Paso has a population of approximately 614,000, El Paso has a population of approximately 614,000, covers 257 square miles, and is bordered on the south covers 257 square miles, and is bordered on the south by Mexico. Together with Juarez, Mexico, it has a by Mexico. Together with Juarez, Mexico, it has a metropolitan region population of 2.5 million. The metropolitan region population of 2.5 million. The police department has an authorized strength of 1,182 police department has an authorized strength of 1,182 sworn officers and 230 non-sworn positions. The sworn officers and 230 non-sworn positions. The department is divided into two major divisions--department is divided into two major divisions--Operations and Administrative Services-- as well as five Operations and Administrative Services-- as well as five Regional CommandsRegional Commands


PURPOSEPURPOSE

A county-wide Auto Theft Task Force that responds A county-wide Auto Theft Task Force that responds to the high rate of auto theft in the area to the high rate of auto theft in the area The problem is heavily influenced by the city’s The problem is heavily influenced by the city’s proximity to the Mexican border proximity to the Mexican border The police department has implemented several The police department has implemented several patrol and investigative tactics in an effort to reduce patrol and investigative tactics in an effort to reduce the problem the problem



A grant funds 19 sworn personnel and one civilian, A grant funds 19 sworn personnel and one civilian, while the city provides 14 additional sworn officers and while the city provides 14 additional sworn officers and several more non-sworn staff. several more non-sworn staff. The task force is headed by a lieutenant from the El The task force is headed by a lieutenant from the El Paso Police Department and includes three sergeants, Paso Police Department and includes three sergeants, nine investigators, 15 patrol officers, two crime nine investigators, 15 patrol officers, two crime prevention officers, and three officers assigned to prevention officers, and three officers assigned to abandoned vehicle-related duties. abandoned vehicle-related duties.



The activities of the task force fall into four areas:The activities of the task force fall into four areas: ++ EnforcementEnforcement-relies on crime analysis; hot spots-relies on crime analysis; hot spots ++ Border CheckpointsBorder Checkpoints-work with Customs-work with Customs ++ InvestigationInvestigation-organized crime; theft rings-organized crime; theft rings ++ Crime PreventionCrime Prevention-public education-public education



Dealing with the proximity to MexicoDealing with the proximity to Mexico Continued grant funding from the Auto Theft Continued grant funding from the Auto Theft Prevention authority Prevention authority Addressing the problem from different dimensions Addressing the problem from different dimensions (e.g., enforcement, etc.) (e.g., enforcement, etc.) Cooperation with the Mexican police authorities Cooperation with the Mexican police authorities (which is currently limited right now) (which is currently limited right now)



From the late 1980s to now, auto thefts that were once around 5,500 per year now typically are around

4,000--better than a 25% reduction Clearance rates for auto thefts have also been Clearance rates for auto thefts have also been improving, albeit at slower rates improving, albeit at slower rates

Task Forces Enforcement Strategies

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Auto Theft Rates

1992 1996 % Change

Nationwide 632 526 -17%

Average of 7 other

largest states 704 569 -19%

Illinois 619 490 -21%

Florida 838 720 -13%

Texas 822 548 -33%

Auto Theft Units Year of Formation

Dallas 1919

Houston 1930

San Antonio 1950

Wichita Falls 1957

Garland 1968

Fort Worth 1970

Irving 1970

DPS 1972

Arlington 1980

N. Richland Hills 1980

Plano 1987

Pasadena 1988

Carrollton 1990

Midland 1991

Abilene 1992

Travis County 1993

Addison 1994

Auto Theft Task Forces Year of Formation

Houston 1986

Arlington 1991

Dallas Co. 1993

DPS 1993

El Paso 1993

Fort Worth 1993

Harris Co. 1993

Midland 1993

N. Richland Hills 1993

Odessa 1993

San Antonio 1993

White Settlement 1993

Dallas 1994

Texarkana 1994

San Antonio’s Youth Firearms San Antonio’s Youth Firearms Violence InitiativeViolence Initiative

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTIONSan Antonio is the third biggest city in Texas and the San Antonio is the third biggest city in Texas and the nation’s 10th largest city, with an estimated 1997 nation’s 10th largest city, with an estimated 1997 population of 1,115,600. It is also a city with a large population of 1,115,600. It is also a city with a large geographic area--389 square miles. The police geographic area--389 square miles. The police department has 1,961 sworn positions and almost 400 department has 1,961 sworn positions and almost 400 non-sworn, and investigated 83,571 Part I offenses in non-sworn, and investigated 83,571 Part I offenses in 1997. The department is organized into four main 1997. The department is organized into four main divisions— Investigations, Uniform, Support Services, divisions— Investigations, Uniform, Support Services, and Human Resources.and Human Resources.


PURPOSEPURPOSE The San Antonio Police Department adopted an The San Antonio Police Department adopted an enforcement strategy targeted at gangs and guns with enforcement strategy targeted at gangs and guns with COPS Office funding under the COPS Office funding under the Youth Firearms Youth Firearms Violence Initiative Violence Initiative (YFVI) (YFVI) The department adopted five specific enforcement The department adopted five specific enforcement tactics as well as an effort to improve information tactics as well as an effort to improve information sharing between the police department and emergency sharing between the police department and emergency trauma centers trauma centers Emphasizing search warrants proved to be the most Emphasizing search warrants proved to be the most effective enforcement tactic, while bar checks were effective enforcement tactic, while bar checks were least effective least effective


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION The primary enforcement mechanism is the WRAT The primary enforcement mechanism is the WRAT (Weapons Recovery and Tracking) Task Force (Weapons Recovery and Tracking) Task Force This is an overtime assignment where a group of This is an overtime assignment where a group of officers assemble and carry out the assigned tactic in officers assemble and carry out the assigned tactic in the assigned target area the assigned target area ++ WRAT was commanded throughout the project by WRAT was commanded throughout the project by the same special operations lieutenant the same special operations lieutenant ++ Specific guidelines and directions were provided daily Specific guidelines and directions were provided daily ++ Supervision, also funded by overtime pay, was Supervision, also funded by overtime pay, was provided by a fairly small group of sergeants provided by a fairly small group of sergeants ++ A small number of officers were found to be the most A small number of officers were found to be the most productive were used most frequently. productive were used most frequently.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION Team efforts were focused on areas in the city based Team efforts were focused on areas in the city based upon an analysis of firearms-related crime upon an analysis of firearms-related crime Tactics employed by the team were: Tactics employed by the team were: ++ Directed patrol-relied heavily on Target Sheets Target Sheets provided by the Youth Crime Detail provided by the Youth Crime Detail ++ Saturation patrol-night pairs of officers in targeted areas provided by the Youth Crime Detailprovided by the Youth Crime Detail ++ Bar checks-least productive ++ Knock and talk-community policing officers visiting homes of suspected gang members; request permission to search youth’s room ++ Search warrants-for firearms-related offenses


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION Gun tracing was also used Gun tracing was also used ++ Involved submitting information on each firearm to Involved submitting information on each firearm to BATF and then following up on received information BATF and then following up on received information if appropriate if appropriate ++ This proved to be a cumbersome, time consuming, and This proved to be a cumbersome, time consuming, and unproductive process unproductive process Police-Hospital Network ( Police-Hospital Network (Cops and DocsCops and Docs) used ) used dedicated fax machines for two types of notifications: dedicated fax machines for two types of notifications: ++ Emergency room personnel fax a simple Emergency room personnel fax a simple Firearm Injury Firearm Injury Notification Notification form whenever they have a gunshot patient form whenever they have a gunshot patient ++ The police department faxes a The police department faxes a BOLO for Possible ShootingBOLO for Possible Shooting VictimVictim form to emergency rooms when they know of a form to emergency rooms when they know of a shooting but have not been able to locate the victim shooting but have not been able to locate the victim



The most critical factor for the YFVI was the The most critical factor for the YFVI was the availability of substantial COPS Office funds for police availability of substantial COPS Office funds for police

officer overtime officer overtime As funding diminished, activities have been absorbed As funding diminished, activities have been absorbed by the department by the department


PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS 254 firearms were seized during the course of the 14-254 firearms were seized during the course of the 14- month YFVI project month YFVI project In 14 months, In 14 months, WRAT officers… ++ Made over 2,000 arrests, about half on warrants and half warrantless ++ Issued over 3,000 citations ++ Conducted over 1,000 field interviews An analysis of crime and call for service data in order to An analysis of crime and call for service data in order to evaluate the overall cost-effectiveness of the program is evaluate the overall cost-effectiveness of the program is in progress in progress

Targeted EnforcementTargeted Enforcement

Discussion

Gary Cordner

Eastern Kentucky University

targeted enforcement gary cordner eastern kentucky university

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