Crime and Violence Prevention

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Preventing violent crime involves not only traditional law enforcement and criminal justice but also an integrated, long-term approach that addresses the root causes and drivers of crime. RAND researchers several aspects of safety and justice, including policing, mental health care, gun control, and more.

  • People embrace outside the Alamo Gym where students and parents wait to reunite following a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, May 18, 2018, photo by Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP

    Essay

    Preventing Violence in Schools: How to Encourage Students to Report Threats

    One of the most consistent findings in research on school shootings is that someone knew an attack was possible but didn't report it. There are ways schools can encourage students to come forward when they see or hear something concerning: tip lines, training, and a lot more trust.

    Mar 9, 2023

  • Weapons seized in Westchester and Putnam counties on display at Westchester Police Academy in Valhalla, New York, January 27, 2022, photo by Tania Savayan/USA Today via Reuters

    Report

    Latest Findings from RAND's Gun Policy in America Study

    The third edition of RAND's report on gun policy synthesizes scientific evidence for the effects of various policies on firearm deaths, violent crime, suicides, the gun industry, defensive gun use, and other outcomes.

    Jan 10, 2023

Explore Crime and Violence Prevention

  • NYPD officers interact with pedestrians in Central Park, Manhattan, May 22, 2011

    Commentary

    Strengthening Trust Between Police and the Public

    Amid recent tensions between law enforcement and the public, three key questions must be answered to build the foundation for long-lasting mutual trust, especially given technological changes that are increasing transparency.

    May 1, 2015

  • An airline passenger stands in a full-body scanner at a TSA checkpoint at LAX in February 2014 after U.S. authorities issued a warning to airlines to watch out for militants who may have hidden bombs in their shoes

    Commentary

    What Research Says About Profiling

    When police take action on the basis of race, creed, or ethnicity it is corrosive, unfair, ineffective, and can stoke the flames of police-community tension. But as we have found from a variety of assessments, law enforcement is best served when it bases its activities on risk—not on personal characteristics.

    Dec 18, 2014

  • Dissertation

    Dissertation

    Monitoring with Swift, Certain, and Moderate Sanctions to Reduce Alcohol-Related Crime: The South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Program

    Systematic review of the South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Program's structure, effectiveness, and cost.

    Dec 15, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    Targeting Alcohol Misuse: A Promising Strategy for Reducing Military Sexual Assaults?

    There has been growing concern about both sexual assault and alcohol misuse in the U.S. military. Research on civilians may provide guidance for efforts to reduce alcohol misuse as part of a larger strategy targeting sexual assault in the military.

    Oct 31, 2014

  • News Release

    News Release

    Community Justice Center in San Francisco Is Associated with Lower Rearrest Rates

    San Francisco opened the Community Justice Center in 2009 to serve the city's Tenderloin district and adjacent neighborhoods. Those arrested for an eligible offense in the Center catchment area after it opened were 8.9 to 10.3 percent less likely to be rearrested within one year.

    Oct 8, 2014

  • A gavel and handcuffs

    Report

    Community Justice Center in San Francisco Is Associated with Lower Rearrest Rates

    San Francisco opened the Community Justice Center in 2009 to serve its Tenderloin district and adjacent neighborhoods. Those arrested for an eligible offense in the Center catchment area after it opened were 8.9 to 10.3 percent less likely to be rearrested within one year.

    Oct 8, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2012–2013 Report

    This annual report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors outlines Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act success offering programs to high-need juvenile probationers and at-risk youth.

    Aug 8, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    Evaluation of the Shreveport Predictive Policing Experiment

    This report documents an assessment of a predictive policing effort that was conducted to evaluate the crime reduction effects of policing guided by statistical predictions.

    Jul 1, 2014

  • Israel police

    Report

    Greater Transparency and Accountability Key to Improving Effectiveness of Israel Police

    An approach to policing known as “procedural justice,” emphasizing transparency and accountability, would help Israel's national police meet current and emerging challenges. The force needs to address issues of civil-police relations, benchmarking, performance measurement, and deterrence.

    May 2, 2014

  • U.S. President Barack Obama is introduced to speak by Christian Champagne from Chicago at the unveiling of Obama's

    Commentary

    Realizing the Potential of 'My Brother's Keeper'

    The White House has mobilized an impressive coalition to address a critical national challenge, and used the power of research evidence to begin to structure the initiative. By drawing more lessons from research, the initiative can further bolster its chance to build strong and lasting ladders of opportunity and success for boys and young men of color.

    Mar 16, 2014

  • a police car pulling over a driver

    Commentary

    Predictive Policing: An Effective Tool, but Not a Crystal Ball

    Predictive policing is not an end-all solution, but rather a tool that must be used in concert with other policing resources as part of a broader anti-crime effort. Used properly, predictive policing can predict the risk of future events, but not the events themselves.

    Nov 14, 2013

  • police, car, cruiser, law, order, patrol, streets, crime, speeders, trap, waiting, lights, lightbar, city, watch, observe, neighborhood

    Research Brief

    Forecasting Crime for Law Enforcement

    Predictive policing is the use of analytical techniques to prevent crime or solve past crimes. An assessment of some of the most promising technical tools and tactical approaches offers recommendations for police and developers.

    Oct 14, 2013

  • police car and yellow tape police line do not cross

    Report

    The Role of Crime Forecasting in Law Enforcement Operations

    Predictive policing methods fall into four general categories: methods for predicting crimes, predicting offenders, predicting perpetrators' identities, and predicting victims of crime. These methods are not equivalent to a crystal ball, but they can enhance proactive policing and improve intervention strategies.

    Sep 25, 2013

  • Dallas skyline

    Report

    Evaluating the Caruth Police Institute in Dallas

    The Caruth Police Institute (CPI) has been an important vehicle for enhancing leadership skills of mid- and high-level Dallas Police Department officers and creating a more professional police force, according to a RAND evaluation.

    Aug 28, 2013

  • Youth, young, pretty, cute, Asian, Chinese, preschool, girl, female, black, hair, long, beautiful, children, childhood, innocents, daughter, education, learning, reading, writing, school, elementary, books, notebook, book, knowledge, student, goals, completion, pencil, graduation, graduate, boy, son, male, Hispanic, African American, backpack, Caucasian, students, group, diversity, ethnic, race, pride, proud

    Report

    Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Report

    This annual report for the California Board of State and Community Corrections measures the success of Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act programs and initiatives for six state-mandated outcome measures and county-mandated supplemental measures.

    Aug 12, 2013

  • News Release

    News Release

    Greater Transparency, Accountability Key to Improving Effectiveness of Israel Police

    An approach to policing known as “procedural justice,” emphasizing transparency and accountability, would help Israel's national police meet current and emerging challenges. The force needs to address issues of civil-police relations, benchmarking, performance measurement, and deterrence.

    Jul 1, 2013

  • President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 12, 2013

    Blog

    The State of the Union 2013

    The 2013 SOTU address will be remembered for its impassioned call for greater gun control just two months after Sandy Hook. But President Obama's second-term agenda can be characterized by its sheer breadth, reflecting the broad range of policy challenges facing the U.S. today.

    Feb 13, 2013

  • A Glock 22 pistol is displayed at the Rocky Mountain Guns and Ammo store in Parker, Colorado, July 24, 2012

    Commentary

    Firearms and Gun Control: Many Questions, Some Answers

    Guns claim the lives of thousands of people in America every year. But the problem of gun violence is larger and much more complex than mass shootings. What does research say about how to reduce firearm-related deaths?

    Jan 17, 2013

  • depressed teenage boy with handgun

    Commentary

    Can Improved Mental Health Care Prevent Gun Crimes? The Truth Is, We Don't Know

    If policymakers and the public expect the mental health community to play a significant role in preventing future incidents like Newtown, the mental health research agenda must become a higher national priority in future federal funding decisions, writes Terry Schell.

    Jan 17, 2013

  • Woman on stretcher being wheeled into emergency room

    Commentary

    Accounting for Risk of Violent Death

    As a Southerner who learned to shoot at an early age, I've never had a problem with guns. But emergency-room doctors like me also know how much damage they can cause if misused or allowed to fall into the wrong hands, writes Arthur Kellermann.

    Jan 7, 2013

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