This is a data driven initiative. Selecting the target area based on anything but the data is a departure from the DMI model and asking for trouble (see next item). Often times, the police may think they know the "worst" area (through assumption, perception or personal preference) but the data may reveal something else. Even where the police knowledge and the data coincide, taking the time to gather the crime data can increase the legitimacy of the project. Fears of "targeting" and "profiling" can be mitigated by crime maps indicating why a particular neighborhood was selected for the intervention. Data analysis can also provide micro-level information (e.g., specific problem addresses) so your focus can be strategic and directed. Again, the target area needs to be at the neighborhood or drug market level where community support can be garnered.

Experience in all sites to date indicates the number of drug dealers in a given neighborhood or drug market is manageable if the size of the target area is reasonable. It is important to gather data and information from many sources. As with site selection, use the data to guide your intervention.

You certainly do not want to spend your time and resources on individuals that really only made one or two sales in your target area and are no longer active. You will rely on those individuals who attend the call-in to spread the word that open-air drug dealing will not be tolerated in the target area. This should address the issue of small time or infrequent dealers.

Common criteria include a history of violence and/or gun crimes. Impact of prosecution can also be good criteria, that is, are you able to pursue federal charges that may put the drug dealer away for longer? Rockford (IL) formed a team comprised of the police department, sheriff's department, States' Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office to screen all cases and determine who should get a second chance. Milwaukee (WI) and Chicago (IL) reached out to community members, vice/narcotics officers, and gang units to ensure they were not offering a second chance to someone who was a danger to the community.

It is important to have all the cases ready to take to the prosecutor in case someone invited to the call in makes the choice not to comply. Generally speaking, undercover operations last for one to three months.