CargoTheft.SuppStmntB (Submitted)

B. Statistical Methods

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The FBI transitioned to a NIBRS-only data collection on January 1, 2021. Prior to that date, the potential respondent universe using the Cargo Theft Incident Report included all LEAs throughout the nation voluntarily participating in the FBI UCR Program’s Cargo Theft Data Collection via the SRS. In 2020, the total number of LEAs submitting cargo theft data to the FBI UCR Program was 8,854. The table below shows the number of participating and nonparticipating LEAs, along with the participation percentage. SRS agencies are no longer permitted to submit new cargo theft incidents. However, the FBI UCR Program will accept updates to cargo theft incidents previously reported by SRS agencies.

Year	Number of Participating LEAs	Number of Nonparticipating LEAs	Percent of Participating LEAs
2017	6,980	11,567	37.6
2018	7,745	10,841	41.7
2019	8,972	9,695	48.4
2020	8,854	9,764	47.6

LEAs consist of federal, state, local, and tribal agencies serving all population group sizes having diverse attributes. The areas served include various characteristics which may impact crime, such as population density and degree of urbanization; various compositions of population, particularly youth concentration; population movement with respect to residents’ mobility, commuting patterns, and transient factors; diverse economic conditions including median income, poverty level, and job availability; areas with different modes of transportation and highway systems; various cultural factors and educational, recreational, and religious characteristics; family conditions with respect to divorce and family cohesiveness; climate; effective strength of law enforcement; policies of other components of the criminal justice system; citizens’ attitudes toward crime; and crime reporting practices of the citizenry.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

The FBI transitioned to a NIBRS-only data collection on January 1, 2021. Therefore, SRS agencies may no longer submit cargo theft incidents occurring after that date. However, SRS agencies may still provide updates to incidents previously reported to UCR at intervals which minimize the burden to them (e.g., quarterly, semiannually, or annually).

Although the FBI makes an effort through its editing procedures, training practices, and correspondence to ensure the reliability of the data received, the receipt of accurate statistics depends on adherence to the established standards of reporting at the agency level. The FBI relies on the integrity of the data from contributors and results obtained from quality assurance reviews conducted by the CJIS Audit Unit staff. The results of the audits are not used to adjust crime data, but to educate reporting agencies on compliance with FBI UCR Program guidelines.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

Cargo theft data are available within NIBRS, and similar response rates are expected. FBI UCR Program staff actively liaise with LEAs to encourage participation and assist agencies with maximizing response rates and providing accurate, up-to-date information.

4. Testing of Procedures

The FBI UCR Program receives guidance for implementing or making changes to a data collection from the FBI CJIS Advisory Policy Board (APB). The APB was developed to obtain user community advice and guidance on the development and operation of all CJIS Division programs. The philosophy underlying the advisory process is one of shared management, i.e., the FBI; federal, state, local, and tribal data providers; and system users share responsibility for the operation and management of all systems administered by the FBI to benefit the criminal justice community.

The FBI transitioned to a NIBRS-only data collection on January 1, 2021, thereby, discontinuing SRS. Therefore, SRS agencies are only permitted to provide updates to cargo theft incidents previously submitted to the FBI UCR Program, and testing is not required.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

Trudy Lou Ford

Global Law Enforcement Support Section (GLESS) Chief

tlford@fbi.gov

304-625-3690

Michael J. McKeown

GLESS Assistant Section Chief

mjmckeown@fbi.gov 

304-625-2966 

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection—Continued

Amy C. Blasher 

Crime Statistics Management Unit (CSMU) Chief 

acblasher@fbi.gov 

304-625-4840 

 

Cynthia Barnett-Ryan 

Statistician, CSMU 

cbarnett-ryan@fbi.gov 

304-625-3576 

 

Malissa C. Vavra

Statistician, CSMU

mcvavra@fbi.gov

304-625-3010

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