For today's conversation, Jessica introduces Dr. Jim Austin, the Director of Strategic Initiatives at JFA Institute, to The Den. Together, they discuss and reflect on his studies with observed and forecasted crime rates. The discussion highlights how policymakers and police leadership can analyze the intersection between criminal justice policies, socioeconomic factors, and long-term trends to understand and effectively address crime rates.

Throughout the episode, they discuss Dr. Austin's collaboration with Rick Rosenfeld on a group of reports commissioned by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. These reports created statistical models for forecasting US crime rates and examined potential policy shifts to reduce the US's high rate of incarceration. They discuss the details of the report and the significance it had on the field as a whole. Dr. Austin also explores the challenges in predicting crime shifts and then taking action to change them with factors including population, age, inflation, household dynamics, and politics.

Topics Covered:

• The typical analyses that Dr. Austin does for corrections and how they have supported crime reform changes
• Breaking down the importance of the forecasting reports Dr. Austin and Rick Rosenfeld collaborated on
• The successful diversion of youth from the juvenile justice system
• How economic, demographic, and political factors relate to crime trends
• The decline in crime rates and the need to rethink police and policymaking staffing and performance over quantity
• Dr. Austin’s perspective on the future of successful long-term policy change

Resources:

• JFA Institute
• Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation
• Link to reports

Learn More:

• IDEA Analytics Website
• IDEA Analytics LinkedIn

For today's conversation, Jessica welcomes Neil Hubbert to The Den, a research associate for IDEA analytics. Together, they discuss the complexities of creating boundaries for police districts or reporting areas through the lens of data analytics. Neil believes that a combination of experience-driven insights from officers and data-driven perspectives from analysts is essential for effective policing.

Throughout the episode, they dive into the unique challenges that police agencies face when reevaluating their jurisdictions and present strategies for accurately representing the communities they serve within those boundaries. They emphasize the importance of understanding the historical context and patterns of police responses and explore how this information can guide division decisions. They also consider how departments can shift away from districts and focus on the data to regulate resources. 

Topics Covered:

• Breaking down police beat management and why they should be tied to the personality of the community 
• Challenges police departments face when considering changing their districts or reporting areas
• The differences in policing within a city with irregularly shaped boundaries, like those on the East Coast 
• How the history of police responses and patterns influence changing boundaries 
• Why response time and availability of officers needs to be considered for structured fluidity 
• The importance of understanding a community's definition of their area, including boundaries and neighborhoods
• Examining the possibility of shifting away from districts to managing resources based on data 

Resources:

• IDEA Analytics Online Courses
• ArcGIS Learning

Learn More:

• IDEA Analytics Website
• IDEA Analytics LinkedIn

In the field of law enforcement, the use of intentional language is crucial to convey values, build relationships within communities, and create clear divisions within police departments. In this episode, the panelists engage in a debate about reimagining police departments, focusing on their ideal structures, correct language when naming them, and their hierarchy. The conversation highlights the complexities and challenges of designing a modern, community-oriented law enforcement agency.

Throughout the conversation, the panelists propose that the new agency should be community-centric and have dedicated units for addressing area-specific issues. The panelists emphasize the importance of prioritizing victim services rather than solely pursuing criminals and the need for appropriate language when interacting with families. Plus, they debate the number of divisions necessary to achieve the agency's goals.

Topics Covered:

• The panel proposes a "Guardian Division" to replace patrol units, emphasizing community engagement and problem-solving 
• The name and designations for investigations of crimes against victims
• Renaming divisions to better align with civilian roles
• Highlighting a division that includes support roles such as SWAT, bomb units, helicopters, and canines
• The need for a division dedicated to victim services, including victim advocates, outreach coordinators, and public health professionals
• Debating the necessary amount of divisions and their structures 
• The importance of professional standards, finance, and public information
• The challenges of defining departments 

Learn More:

• IDEA Analytics Website
• IDEA Analytics LinkedIn