SPI Findings

2022 SPI Map and Findings graphic

Learn more about SPI site successes as it relates to gun violence, and violence reduction through our SPI Successes One-Pagers or using the below table.

Site	Implementation	Research Design & Findings	Topic
Anniston, AL2019	The Anniston, AL SPI aimed to reduce the property crime rate using closed-circuit television (CCTV) as a type of “formal surveillance”, either through detection or deterrence. The project focused on the theft of and from motor vehicles in hot spot areas.	Research Design The study used a quasi-experimental design to observe crime occurrence following the implementation of CCTV in three hot spots and three control areas, both with buffer zones. The SPI analyzed a nearly 18 month pre- and 18-month post-intervention period to measure changes over time, tracking property crimes, criminal mischief, and violent crime to measure diffusion of crime type. Findings No significant findings. However, this was expected due to low power and low counts of data. The analysis shows mixed results, with property crime increasing in certain target areas for certain crimes; however, the crime type reduction was not consistent across all the sites. Decrease in property crime with no corresponding displacement of crime to another location or another crime.	Technology
Boston, MA2009	The Boston SPI addressed violent crime, especially robberies and assaults committed with guns, using community policing and problem-oriented policing Safe Streets Teams (SSTs). Completed 28-year longitudinal analysis of violent crime to identify 13 chronic hot spots. Targeted SSTs, consisting of a sergeant and six patrol officers, in hot spots. Deployed nearly 400 different situational/environmental, enforcement, and community/social service techniques to identify and address recurring problems.	Research Design A quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching (statistically based matching of target sites to control/comparison sites). Findings More than 17% reduction in violent crime. More than 15% reduction in aggravated assaults. More than 19% reduction in robberies.	Gun Violence, Violence Reduction
Boston, MA2011	The Boston SPI implemented the Boston Homicide Clearance Intervention to improve homicide clearance rates and investigations. Conducted spatial analysis on 314 homicide victimizations. Convened a Homicide Advisory Committee. Expanded the police department homicide unit by 36% to include an additional detective, a crime analyst, and two Victim-Witness Resource Officers on each squad. Updated 40-hour crime scene response and investigation in-service training.	Research Design Process evaluation of homicide protocols, impact evaluation during the implementation period, overall outcome evaluation of clearance rates. Findings 9.8% increase in homicide clearance rates. 18.4% increase in adjusted homicide clearance rates (including cases awaiting a grand jury).	Violence Reduction
Brooklyn Park, MN2013	The Brooklyn Park, MN SPI - the Assets Coming Together to Take Action (ACT) Initiative —aimed to reduce crime at hot spots by garnering greater cooperation and collaboration with the public in addressing crime problems. The intervention was also designed to increase collective efficacy among citizens residing in the hot spots, and improve their evaluations of police legitimacy. A key innovation of ACT was the involvement of the entire patrol force in delivering the program: all patrol officers were expected to undertake the activities described below during their discretionary time when they were not responding to 911 calls, taking breaks, or report writing.	Research Design The research partner evaluated ACT using a partially block-randomized controlled trial in which 42 identified hot spots were matched into groups according to their crime rates and overall land use of the site (e.g., commercial, residential). The hot spots were then randomly allocated into treatment (ACT) or control (policing as usual) conditions within their matched groups. Findings Sufficiently staffed police department, unallocated patrol time can be used to to develop a concentrated community based problem solving efforts at crime hot spots. Officers implemented the intervention with fidelity. The program’s emphasis on community collaboration with the police led to increased reporting of crime.	Community Engagement, Violence Reduction
Cambridge, MA2011	The Cambridge SPI, a collaborative effort with the cities of Everett and Somerville, called RASOR (Regional Analytics for the Safety of Our Residents), focused on preventing victimization and social harm. Created partnerships with case managers, social service providers, other criminal justice agencies, and research staff to collectively cultivate a focused deterrence strategy. Examined violent criminal and arrest histories as well as social harm to identify impact players. Developed detailed case profiles on potential candidates and assigned each a case manager. Conducted notification meetings and delivered resources.	Research Design Outcome evaluation and process evaluation of the randomized experimental design. Findings No statistically significant differences in time to arraignment between RASOR and control. The more time invested by case management and services, the longer the survival time of individuals participating in RASOR (i.e., did not reoffend as quickly as the control group).	Violence Reduction
Chicago, IL2015	The Chicago, IL SPI addressed violent crime through implementation and evaluation of the police department’s Strategic Decision Support Centers (SDSC). Chicago’s SDSCs bring together police officers and analysts from the University of Chicago Crime Lab to integrate crime intelligence, data analysis, and technology in daily, real-time approaches to violent crime reduction and prevention. The Chicago SPI expanded SDSCs into six districts in the city, and evaluated the impact of this expansion on violent crime in the target districts and citywide.	Research Design The SPI conducted a process evaluation of SDSCs for developmental and operational lessons learned. The site also employed a difference-in-difference models to estimate crime reduction effects resulting from adding an SDSC to a Chicago police district. Findings Estimated crime reductions, depending on crimes and times modeled, varied between 3 percent and 17 percent. SDSCs estimated to reduce shootings by more than 40 percent in one district. Some SDSCs were fully integrated into their district’s full suite of operations; others could be characterized as being more than independent service units but not yet achieving a partial level of integration into operations.	Gun Violence, Violence Reduction
Chula Vista, CA2013	The Chula Vista, CA SPI developed the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) and provided assigned officers a protocol to follow at each Domestic Violence (DV) call involving Intimate Partners (IP).The DV protocol developed was carried out by patrol officers in one sector of the city along with their regular call-handling responsibilities. Officers delivered a face-to-face message to subjects in IP-DV calls that were verbal disputes. A different message was delivered to both IP-DV victims and suspects in crimes, while offenders who were arrested received a highly structured warning at the jail from officers. Handouts reinforced the verbal messages. Both IP-DV victims and suspects were to receive a face-to-face follow-up contact by officers after three days, while subjects involved in IP-DV verbal disputes were to receive a follow-up text after 30 days. Chronic IP-DV subjects, offenders and victims – those who persisted in verbal disputes or crimes despite the messaging – received a customized intervention.	Research Design The study used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the impact on crimes, calls, and repeats, assessing whether dyads or locations – had a subsequent call or crime within 12 months of the initial triggering event. Findings Although the DART initiative was initially designed to reduce repeat IP-DV calls, the initiative had a significant impact on crime – resulting in a 24% drop in DV crimes after one year while the volume of DV calls remained mostly steady. While the DART initiative relied on patrol officer time, it was not resource intensive; calls for service (CFS) data indicated that DART officers spent an extra seven to eight minutes on DV CFS.	Violence Reduction
Detroit, MI2016	Project Greenlight Detroit (PGLD) implemented a collaborative approach towards crime reduction using CCTV. What differentiates PGLD’s strategy from others that use video monitoring to deter crime, is the partnership that is established between business and property owners and police. The implementation process involved installing high-quality video systems with visible green lights and signage, in and around retail, service, and multi-unit residential locations. Implementation also involved monitoring the cameras in a Real-Time Crime Center, priority call responses, and supportive collaboration between the Detroit Police Department (DPD) and PGLD participants.	Research Design The SPI used multiple methods to better understand and evaluate PGLD. A detailed process assessment was conducted involving qualitative research methods. Researchers used a quasi-experimental design to calculate the effect of Green Light on a variety of crime outcomes relative to a sample of comparison addresses. Findings Increase in reporting of crime, particularly property and disorder offenses, to the police. Incidents that were cleared by arrest increased at PGLD locations compared to non-PGLD locations. PGLD locations tended to have higher rates of crime, both before and after implementation of PGLD, than a similar sample of parcels that did not participate in PGLD; these higher rates of crime likely motivated participation in PGLD. Fatal and nonfatal shootings have declined 27 percent since 2016. Carjacking declined substantially following the introduction of PGLD. Overall crime trends indicate that these strategies have improved public safety in Detroit; however, it is important to note that implementation occurred during a period of multiple crime and violence reduction strategies. Evaluation was complex and the nature of the program made it difficult to assess trends in crime; therefore, readers should take this into consideration.	Community Engagement, Technology
Glendale, AZ2009	The Glendale SPI sought to reduce crime and disorder pertaining to convenience store thefts in the southeast quadrant of the city. Provided officers with 20 hours of POP training using the SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) model to identify and reduce crime. Analyzed crime to find that crime centered at six local convenience stores. Implemented a three-pronged response that included engagement with store leadership, prevention strategies (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design or CPTED), and suppression strategies.	Research Design Pre/post analysis with multiple units and multiple control groups, interrupted time series analysis of convenience stores. Findings Decline in calls for service in 5 of 6 target stores. 18% reduction in direct costs for officer response and estimated decrease of more than $1.9 million in victimization costs. Sustained reduction in 4 of 6 target stores (nearly 20% in calls for service overall, two years after the intervention).	Violence Reduction
Glendale, AZ2011	The Glendale SPI continued the efforts of its prior project by focusing POP efforts on problem offenders and organizational retail theft. Conducted intensive problem analysis of calls for service data, resident surveys, and social and physical disorder surveys. Used new data collection protocols and social network analysis. Implemented traditional crime prevention strategies, as well as CPTED, outreach and education, counter insurgency, and informal focused deterrence.	Research Design Bivariate analysis and interrupted time series analysis. Findings Identified and targeted prolific offenders, and generated short-term, notable declines in several micro hot spots. 27% reduction in calls for service in a target area (large mall) and short-term 15% reduction in calls for service in a target apartment complex.	Violence Reduction