Agency Information Collection Activities: Current Collection: Comments Requested

ACTION:

Notice of information collection under review: extension of a currently approved collection; Return A—Monthly Return of Offenses Known to the Police and Supplement to Return A—Monthly Offenses Known to the Police

The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until July 31 2000.

Request written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information. Comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposal collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or technological collection techniques of other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to Gregory E. Scarbro (phone number and address listed below). Additional information as well as copies of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions are available by contacting Gregory E. Scarbro, Unit Chief, telephone 304-625-4830, FBI, CJIS Division, Statistical Unit, E-3, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306.

Overview of This Information Collection

(1) Type of information collection: Extension of Currently Approved Collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Return A—Monthly Return of Offenses Known to the Police and Supplement to Return A—Monthly Offenses Known to the Police.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and applicable component of the Department Sponsoring the collection. Form: 1-720A; 1-706. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as brief abstract. Primary: Local and State Law Enforcement Agencies. This collection is needed to collect data regarding criminal offenses and their respective clearances throughout the United States. Data is tabulated and published in the annual Crime in the United States. The FBI UCR Program is currently reviewing its race and ethnicity data collection in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget's Revisions for the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 17,667 agencies with 212,004 responses (including zero reports); and with an average of 30 minutes a month devoted to compilation of data for this information collection.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with both collections: 74,201 hours annually.

If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20530.