Our Crime Debate Remains Tragically Shortsighted

Whether violence is increasing or not, the consistency of public opinion attracts lawmakers’ attention at all levels of government and across the political spectrum. On the right, candidates and elected officials typically advocate for more funding and broader support for police, prisons, and other forms of suppression and control. On the left, they typically argue for deeper investments in social services, housing, education, health care, drug treatment, and various therapeutic programs. Both sides claim research evidence for their position, but neither side carefully investigates the accuracy and reliability of evidence. Continue reading Our Crime Debate Remains Tragically Shortsighted

Balancing Deterrence and Prevention: The Role of Research

Public officials, community leaders and researchers must collaborate to measure the crime-reduction effects of community-centered prevention, but they must do so using professional evaluation methods to create a more balanced evidence base. The effort begins by understanding that securing coercive compliance through deterrence is not prevention. Continue reading Balancing Deterrence and Prevention: The Role of Research