Blue Ribbon Committee on Crime Prevention Review

Blue Ribbon Committee on Crime Prevention Review

Executive Summary

Upon being sworn in as District Attorney on December 4, 2000, Steve Cooley pledged to undertake a thorough review of the department’s crime prevention programs. "We must be conscientious in evaluating the effectiveness of various programs initiated under the aegis of crime prevention," Cooley said at the time. "Programs that are effective and working will be retained." Subsequently, Cooley assembled a diverse group of respected professionals from throughout Los Angeles County to review departmental programs aimed at helping at-risk youth, turning-around young offenders, reducing gang activity and helping domestic violence victims.

The District Attorney’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Crime Prevention Program Review was charged with evaluating seven crime prevention initiatives. The Committee’s review of each program was favorable. Program goals were approved, strategies were embraced and outcomes were commended. The Committee did find, however, that all programs lacked independent evaluations and post-program tracking of participants that would bring greater accountability to the Office’s crime prevention efforts. The Committee recommended that the District Attorney’s Office pursue a formal evaluation of each program, ideally funded by additional grants from the outside program funders. Specific findings on each program are summarized below.

A.C.T.

Domestic Violence Hotline

J.O.I.N.

S.A.G.E

Project L.E.A.D.

Abolish Chronic Truancy Program (A.C.T.) [ TOP ]
The A.C.T. program combats truancy by helping parents of truant students understand they have a legal responsibility to ensure their children are in school. The Committee supported the goal and strategy of the program and urged its expansion to schools if appropriate funding is available. Committee suggestions focused on how to sustain and increase funding for the program as well as how to increase the program’s positive impact at current funding/staff levels. Several Committee members recommended that less expensive lawyers, such as Grade II or Grade III deputy district attorneys, be used in the program, rather than more experienced and higher salaried Grade IVs. A majority of the Committee also suggested exploring other staffing alternatives to increase the program’s cost effectiveness, including the use of part-time or contract personnel, such as retired prosecutors, investigators, police officers, hearing officers, volunteer private attorneys from bar associations and educational consultants. While the philosophy behind the program was widely embraced, Committee members expressed concern about A.C.T.’s high cost relative to other crime prevention programs in the District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Hotline [ TOP ]
The Committee expressed strong support for the countywide Hotline, which helps victims find "A Safe Way Out" of abusive environments. The Committee recommended that the Office ensure that adequate staffing exists before a proposed temporary restraining order help line is established. The Committee supported increasing the number of languages served by the Hotline and urged that the County publicize the Hotline as much and as regularly as possible, given its importance to the community.

Juvenile Offender Intervention Network (J.O.I.N.) [ TOP ]
The Committee recognized the hearing officer program as an effective diversion program for young criminal offenders. Members were impressed with the low recidivism rate reflected in a random sampling of past J.O.I.N. participants. Based on J.O.I.N.’s apparent cost savings to the juvenile justice system, the Committee recommended program expansion. The Committee believes program growth should be funded with outside grants or by revenues from the program’s cost savings to the justice system.

Strategies Against Gang Environments (S.A.G.E.) / Quality of Life Program [ TOP ]
The Committee embraced the community prosecution models of these programs. Recommendations focused on the need for sustained funding so that more jurisdictions can benefit from the programs. The Committee also recommended that all staffing options be explored to maximize the programs’ cost effectiveness. Staffing considerations should focus on the skills and characteristics necessary to perform the duties effectively, rather than on the job classifications of assigned personnel.

Project L.E.A.D. (Legal Enrichment And Decision-making) [ TOP ]
Committee members expressed strong appreciation for the volunteerism within the District Attorney’s Office that brings role models and lessons on making the right choices to elementary school students throughout the County. The panel found L.E.A.D. to be a very positive program. Given the development of a new curriculum for the program, Committee members urged that a formal evaluation of the material be accomplished as soon as possible to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum.

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