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YELLOW SHEET Office of the State Auditor of Missouri |
August 16, 2001
Report No. 2001-63
More felons could be arrested with data matches between the Highway
Patrol and various state databases
Missouri ranks in the top ten states for the total number of outstanding
felony and non-felony warrants, according to federal authorities. This
audit reviewed how well various state law enforcement agencies manage the
state�s approximately 728,000 outstanding warrants and determined system
improvements to arrest more felons.
Federal escapee found with data match
Audit staff ran persons with warrants in the Highway Patrol system
against at least 10 different state databases, including childcare vendors,
school teachers and public assistance recipients. Auditors found 15,761 felony warrants that matched among the
data. These matches often produced
different addresses for the defendant, including a new location for a federal
escapee. Authorities arrested the
escapee a day after auditors provided the new information to law enforcement. (See
page 5)
Data tests noted illegal benefits payments to defendants
State officials paid $672,640 in
food stamps and temporary assistance to 802 persons with outstanding warrants,
which violates federal law. This
figure represents individuals receiving benefits as of October 2000. The
Department of Social Services and the Highway Patrol are now setting up routine
matches to share information on fugitive felons and public assistance
recipients. (See page 6)
Revenue remains uncollected
with outstanding warrants
More than $76 million could be collected from court costs, fees and
fines if authorities served and adjudicated all current outstanding warrants. Of
the $76 million, $14 million could go to the state and $61 million could go to
city and county officials. (See
page 12)
Limited resources leave warrants unpursued
Outstanding warrants are not
kept in one accessible, centralized system, but are housed in three main systems
run by Kansas City police, St. Louis police and the State Highway Patrol. The
three entities charge local law enforcement agencies usage fees to access
warrant data. In addition, the
information on these systems is not always accurate or valid. Development of an
accessible statewide system could reduce outstanding warrants and increase
revenues. (See page 12)
