Tagged: hot spots policing
by Elizabeth Berger · Apr 12, 2024 11:08 am
Crime tends to be concentrated in specific areas within cities, with about 50% of crime occurring on just 5% of streets. One police strategy that can help combat this is known as “hot-spot policing,” which has been shown to reduce violent crime in multiple studies. Another factor that can help reduce crime in an area is when citizens exercise “informal social control.” Informal social control refers to the ability of community members to regulate behavior and maintain order through cohesive relationships, mutual trust, and willingness to intervene. It involves residents taking actions to prevent and address crime and disorder in their neighborhoods.
One common assumption is that the chatoic and disordered nature of high-crime hot spots renders residents incapable of playing a significant role in crime prevention. However, a new study conducted in Baltimore seems to reveal otherwise.
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by Elizabeth Berger · Mar 7, 2022 2:27 pm
Law enforcement training often does not rely on the best scientific evidence, and there is much disagreement about what the best strategies and tactics are. In 2021, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) convened a working group to assess the scientific evidence on police training. The main questions the committee sought to answer were: 1) What are the core knowledge and skills needed for police to promote the rule of law and protect the population?; and 2) What is known about mechanisms (e.g., basic and continuing education or other capacity building programs) for developing these core skills? The answers to these questions were recently published and are discussed below.
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by Elizabeth Berger · Feb 24, 2022 3:40 pm
Amidst a surge in crime over the last two years, including homicide spikes in both 2020 and 2021, the national conversation is finally moving back toward re-funding the police. On May 8, 2021, President Biden submitted his FY22 budget proposal, which allocated $1.3 billion to law enforcement agencies. According to the budget request, the money would support community policing programs, specialized training and resources, and the hiring of new officers. In a statement made on February 3rd, 2022, the White House re-iterated this point and further urged Congress to direct more funds toward community policing efforts and to provide local departments with federal tools and resources to help them address violent crime. This is a step in the right direction, but given how vague the language is, it is hard to predict how effective his plan will be.
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by Elizabeth Berger · Jan 18, 2022 9:09 am
As city leaders look toward alternatives to traditional policing, one approach that has gained attention is the use of “violence interrupters.” Violence interrupters are people recruited from local communities, particularly those who have a history with gangs or violence, who act as outreach workers and nontraditional caseworkers in areas where crime is occurring. These outreach workers build relationships with individuals who are at-risk for gun violence and work to support healing and address conflict through nonviolent means (e.g., conflict mediation). Some programs might help individuals find housing, education, or employment opportunities. The overarching goal is to change community norms about violence and provide pathways out of violent behavior.
The concept has gathered mainstream support among policymakers, the news media, and politicians alongside the “defund the police” movement. Even the Biden administration has described the approach as an “evidence-based” model. But is it really evidence-based?
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