Building the CVI evidence base for the future will require theoretically informed, intentionally causal evaluation studies.
Category: Jeffrey Butts
Minor Role IV: Violent Crime More of an Adult Problem Today
Public officials may point to “juvenile” crime when responding to public concerns about community safety. Recent statements by federal officials echo the political rhetoric of the 1990s when politicians across the country blamed young people for what were actually generalized increases in crime.
Community Safety Innovations
New York addresses gun violence with a combination of gun control measures, community-based interventions, and enforcement coordination. Efforts focus on conflict mediation, job training, outreach to high-risk individuals, and intelligence-sharing networks that provide analytical support to aid investigations and public safety. This comprehensive approach reflects New York’s commitment to protecting communities.
Investing in Maryland Safety
The Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice reviewed some of the innovative programs operated by Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services, including “The Thrive Academy” (TTA) and an intervention strategy known as “Safer Stronger Together” (SST).
Community Safety Investments
Despite various shortcomings, the research team found important indicators that suggest positive benefits of the State initiatives to prevent crime and violence. When researchers analyzed violent and property index crimes (i.e., aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, and larceny), the change in crime occurrences sometimes varied by the amount of funding received. Using 2010 as the base year and tracking crime rates through 2023, researchers found that total index crimes dropped 14 percent in counties receiving funding, but index crimes grew 13 percent in counties that received no funding for the three main initiatives.
Vital City — Better Evidence, Better Policy
To enhance our impact on crime prevention, researchers should improve three things: 1) the questions we ask, 2) the data we use to answer them, and 3) the way we share our answers with communities.