Building the CVI evidence base for the future will require theoretically informed, intentionally causal evaluation studies.
Category: Violence
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.
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.
Minor Role III: Youth Under Age 18 and New York City Violence
It does not appear to be accurate to attribute recent increases in violent crime to the State law known as “Raise the Age.”
Major Crime Trends Differ in New York City and New York State
Violent index crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) generally declined statewide between 2010 and 2020 before surging with the onset of the social and economic disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge was limited to New York City and its suburbs.