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The Crescent Crime-Filled City
New Orleans, a city once known for its vibrancy and culture, is now known as one of the murder capitals of the country. Hurricane Katrina hit just over two years ago; and since then the tourists have returned, utility services are running and the city has a comprehensive recovery plan in place – but that is not enough.
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City-county joint anti-gang violence task force holds first meeting
A newly-formed city-county task force met to map out a new strategy for combating gang violence in Kern County. The task force is the result of an on-going debate over what failed attempts to stop the violence. A gang-related stabbing at a convenience store in northeast Bakersfield left a victim recovering Wednesday from more than a dozen stab wounds. Two weeks ago, four teenagers were arrested in the gang-related murder of a 34-year-old local man who was shot to death as he sat in his car. |
How should we give prisoners a chance to return to community?
Though it is facing heated criticism from some, the Michigan Corrections Department should be commended for attempting to do a better job of integrating former prison inmates into the community. But given local passions on the issue, the program must be handled sensitively. The Corrections Department has started a program called the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative. Its goal is to reduce the relatively high rate at which former inmates return to prison by giving them a suitable residential placement and arranging services for them once they are released from prison. |
Measuring Our Success with Methamphetamine
There is a pandemic sweeping America. No, I’m not talking about the Bird Flu, though it may well haunt us in the future. It is the rampant production and use of methamphetamine, better known as meth. Chances are, you have worked a few meth cases, have run into a few “tweekers” on your beat, or have seen the disturbing behavior of a meth addict in prison. |
OPM Releases Telework Guidance For Pandemic Flu
The Office of Personnel Management released more telework guidelines last week in response to President Bush's request for a plan to keep federal agencies up and running during crisis situations such as an influenza pandemic. This announcement outlines effective strategies to encourage continuity of federal activities during a potential critical incident. Telework would allow federal employees to perform their duties from home or over long distances. Chuck Wilsker, head of the Telework Coalition, is a large supporter of this type of initiative. Mr. Wilsker will present at an upcoming event in Arlington, VA for the Performance Institute on Continuity of Operations Planning for Government.
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‘Live’ forensics is the future for law enforcement
Until recently, users of computer forensics were concerned primarily with post-mortem analysis of digital media, looking for evidence of past actions.
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DHS unveils $400 million in infrastructure security grants
Following the recent release of the finalized National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), the Department of Homeland Security has announced a massive grant program to implement the newest initiatives. Charles Davis, head of the NIPP and a frequent Performance Institute speaker, spearheaded the completion of the plan and will be speaking again in September at The Performance Institute’s Homeland Security Summit Fall 2006. |
Shreveport Police Using High-Tech Cars as Bait
In a model collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Shreveport, LA police department and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are using technologically advanced vehicles to help catch car thieves. This type of technological and relational innovation should serve as a model for law enforcement departments across the country. |
| House OKs Far-reaching $5 billion Port, Cargo Security Bill
The House of Representatives has passed a bill that authorizes $5 billion to be spent over six years to be spent on beefing-up cargo security measures at US ports. The legislation - HR 4954, or the SAFE Port Act - passed the House by a vote of 421-2 and would require equipment at 22 major US ports to detect nuclear and radiological weapons, but would not require inspection of all US-bound cargo at foreign ports - a provision proposed by some Democrat House members, but opposed by a number of US business groups. Among the many provisions in the bill, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is required to implement an automated container tracking system by April 2007 and complete a timeline for deployment of nuclear and radiological detection systems at all US ports. |
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Pandemic Preparedness in 2007
In recent years, the spread of Avian flu across the globe has become a clear warning sign of the threat of a potential pandemic outbreak. Recent findings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predict an influenza pandemic would result in 2 to 7.4 million deaths globally, and that vaccines, antiviral agents and antibiotics to treat infections will be in short supply and will be unequally distributed. Read More. |
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Measuring Our Success with Methamphetamine
There is a pandemic sweeping America. No, I’m not talking about the Bird Flu, though it may well haunt us in the future. It is the rampant production and use of methamphetamine, better known as meth. Chances are, you have worked a few meth cases, have run into a few “tweekers” on your beat, or have seen the disturbing behavior of a meth addict in prison. |
Nationwide Plan Review
Phase 2 Report
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued findings today from a national assessment of the country’s catastrophic planning capabilities. Responding to directives from President Bush and the Congress, following Hurricane Katrina, the Nationwide Plan Review (PDF, 174 Pages - 3.9 MB) looked at whether existing emergency operations plans for states and urban areas are sufficient for managing a catastrophic event. The Review also presents conclusions on actions needed by the federal government to improve and coordinate planning.
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Read full report |
2006 DHS Grant Numbers Released
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced $1.7 billion in anti-terrorism grant program allocations for the 2006 fiscal year, a large reduction from last year's total of over $2.5 billion. Taking especially heavy hits were New York City and Washington , DC , although many smaller urban areas such as Louisville and Omaha received considerably more funds than in the previous year. Instead of making superficial conclusions it is important to analyze the grant totals more closely. After thorough examination it is very clear that the 2006 funding is focused on improving preparedness nationwide rather than throwing money at the largest metropolitan areas.
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View State Grants
View UASI Grants
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Local First Responders: America’s First Line of Defense
Strategies for Improving Local Incident Preparedness & Response
Over the past months responders and academics have trumpeted multiple
emergencies as the next big threat to American security. These new threats include a
deadly pandemic influenza sweeping through Southeast Asia, Hurricanes reaching the
Mid-Atlantic and New England, massive earthquakes in the West and Midwest, and
many more. Media around the globe produce hundreds of stories weekly that call
attention to these looming disasters. However, it is important, despite the clamor that
surrounds this media frenzy, that first responders and citizens nationwide step back and
assess their local preparedness. Largely forgotten is the reality that the majority of the
burden of preparation and response will fall to the local level.
Read article |
| Measuring Law Enforcement Performance
Performance and Cost Management Innovations for Law Enforcement: A Comprehensive Framework
A complete look at effective and demonstrable performance measurement and management for law enforcement agencies using the Logic model methodology of performance management. This overview will provide you with the framework necessary to plan, manage, and budget for bottom-line results . Time will be devoted to covering the 5 key components to successful government management applying the government logic model f ramework.
• Competitive Sourcing- Determine the "best value" competition process to assess the cost effectiveness of outsourcing agency functions
• Performance Budgeting- Adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to Performance Budgeting to identify critical success factors
• Information Technology- Create a enterprise architecture supported by web functions to facilitate citizen-centered law enforcement functions
• Human Capital Management- Align agency human capital plans with mission, goals and organizational objectives
• Financial Management- Achieve sound money management strategy to maximize funding
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Precursors to Successful
Drug Control Policy
Oklahoma passed the first law restricting sales of pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients in meth production. Many other states and localities have followed suit, creating a patchwork of regulations across the country. States and localities with these laws have experienced decreases in meth lab seizures. Unfortunately, meth cooks have crossed state lines and gone to neighboring jurisdiction, often resorting to crime to obtain their supplies. Study the impact of these laws and how they can be enforced in your jurisdiction. In addition, examine the proposed Combat Meth Act that is currently being considered by the Federal government.
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