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Statistical
Analysis Center (SAC)
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The
Crime
Commission’s Statistical Analysis Center’s (SAC) primary function is to
provide accurate and timely research and statistical information to
criminal and juvenile justice agencies to aid in planning and decision
making. The United States Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice
Statistics provides federal funding for partial operation of the
SAC
with the current grant focusing on juvenile justice issues, the
Internet and incident-based reporting and analysis.
The SAC also serves as a focal point for the exchange of statistical
information between federal, state and local criminal and juvenile
justice agencies. At the national level, the SAC works
cooperatively with several entities such as the Bureau of Justice
Statistics, Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Center for Juvenile
Justice and Justice Research and Statistics Association as well as
criminal and juvenile justice agencies from other states.
At the state and local level, the SAC assists agencies in collecting
and reporting required statistical information to the Crime
Commission. The SAC also provides technical assistance to
criminal and juvenile justice agencies in identifying statistical
information needs and the appropriate technology to best meet those
needs, including the use of commercial computer software and
development of computer programs.
The SAC and UCR Program annually provide statistical data for Kids
Count In Nebraska. This annual source book, published by Voices
For Children In Nebraska provides a variety of standard indicators on
the status of children in Nebraska.
In addition to ad hoc reports and periodic publications, special
projects are undertaken by the SAC. To provide information about
the public's perception of criminal and juvenile justice issues such as
violent crime, youth violence, drug abuse and victimization, statewide
surveys have been conducted in conjunction with the University of
Nebraska's Department of Sociology - Lincoln Bureau of Sociological
Research. The results of the first statewide survey conducted in
1991 were published in Citizen Attitude Survey on Drugs and Drug
Control in Nebraska.
A second public opinion survey, encompassing 632 households statewide,
was conducted in 1994 with the results published in Public Perspectives
in Nebraska - A Survey of Community and Criminal Justice Issues.
The second survey replicated many of the 1991 survey’s questions in an
effort to gauge changes in public opinion about important social issues
over time. The survey was expanded and repeated during 1997,
focusing on issues and related legislation pending at the time in an
effort to assist in planning and decision making. In 1998,
updated survey results were provided to the Unicameral and Crime
Commission.
The SAC works cooperatively with various state and local agencies on
joint data concerns make better use of information system technology
and meet the changing needs of the criminal and juvenile justice
communities. To this end, the SAC’s Director represents the Crime
Commission on the Criminal
Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Advisory
Committee, providing primary staff support for the Committee and
serving as the elected chairperson.
Additionally, the SAC oversees the internal data processing operations
of the Crime Commission and the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training
Center, including training and computer programming. The SAC
maintains several statewide databases in conjunction with the Crime
Commission’s various divisions, including the Jail and Juvenile
Detention Admission and Release Database, Juvenile Court Database and
Drug and Violent Crime Database. |
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