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Evidence-based and problem-oriented approaches to crime prevention are often framed as police-centric — but the reality is that these mindsets apply across the entire public-safety and criminal-justice system. From patrol officers and correctional staff, to probation and parole, supervisors, analysts, prosecutors, service providers, and policy makers, proactive prevention only works when each role understands how problems develop, why they repeat, and how their actions influe

Evidence-based and problem-oriented approaches to crime prevention are often framed as police-centric – but the reality is that these mindsets apply across the entire public safety and criminal justice system. From patrol officers and correctional staff, to supervisors, analysts, probation and parole, prosecutors, service providers, and policy makers, proactive prevention only works when each role understands how problems develop, why they repeat, and how their actions infl

Many agencies I work with are eager to “do something proactive.” They want strategies. Programs. Tactics. But here’s the reality: Without a solid understanding of the basics of Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) and Problem-Oriented Policing (POP), even the best strategies will miss the mark. Before we talk about what to do, we have to understand what the actual problem is—and why it’s happening. 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙨 Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) is

Protecting Constitutional Rights, Preventing Harm, and Supporting Officers and Communities Across the United States, communities are experiencing an increase in protests—many peaceful, some tense, and a few that unfortunately escalate into violence. These events place law enforcement officers, supervisors, community leaders, and local governments in an extremely difficult position: balancing the constitutional right to peacefully protest with the responsibility to protect p

We’re living in an era where new policing technologies seem to emerge almost weekly. Agencies are investing in license plate readers, cameras, analytics platforms, AI-driven tools, and more—often with the hope that technology itself will be the solution. But technology isn’t the strategy. The real question isn’t what we buy—it’s how we use it. Does this technology actually make our communities safer? Does it make officers safer? Does it help prevent harm—or does it simply hel

A recent article in Police Chief Magazine, “Empowering Safer Choices for Stronger Communities,” is an excellent example of what effective, modern violence reduction actually looks like in practice. The article highlights how Community Violence Intervention (CVI), Group Violence Intervention (GVI), and focused deterrence are not theoretical concepts or academic buzzwords—they are data-driven, evidence-based strategies that have demonstrated consistent, real-world reductions in

Grateful for the people, the conversations, and the work focused on proactive crime prevention. Thanks for taking a few minutes to watch. Feel free to share!

As we head into 2026, it’s a good time for law enforcement and community partners to reflect on how we approach public safety. The profession has always been strong at responding to crime, investigating incidents, and making arrests. Those responsibilities remain critical. But if we want safer communities and better working conditions for officers, reaction alone cannot be the goal. This year, let’s make a conscious effort to be more proactive, evidence-based, and problem-ori

As we close out another year, I’ve found myself reflecting—on the work, the conversations, the challenges, and most importantly, the people. This year reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: proactive crime prevention works. When research, education, experience, and practical application come together, safer communities aren’t just an idea—they’re achievable. The progress we’ve seen across agencies, classrooms, and communities is proof that thoughtful, problem-ori

Some of the most effective public safety strategies don’t rely on more enforcement, but on smarter focus. By using data, community insight, and on-the-ground experience to identify specific places and recurring problems, agencies can prevent harm before it occurs. When this approach is done well: • Officers understand why they’re working certain areas • Analysts and researchers see measurable, evidence-based impact • Community members see purposeful, consistent problem-solvin

Most people will experience only three to five truly traumatic events in their lifetime. A police officer, by contrast, may encounter hundreds during a 20–25 year career. Not because they seek out danger, but because they spend their professional lives stepping into the worst moments of other people’s lives. Officers carry the weight of: • violent scenes • fatal crashes • domestic tragedies • overdoses • child-related incidents • moments of profound loss and grief These even

🚨 Policing Is Changing. Our Communities Deserve Us at Our Best. After more than two decades in law enforcement, one truth stands above all: We cannot arrest our way to safer communities. For too long, policing in many places has been measured by response, not prevention. Yet the work that truly changes a community happens before the 911 call. Crime prevention is not simply a tactic. It is a culture, a strategy, and a shared responsibility. We owe our officers, agencies, and

Every police agency has a wealth of information right at their fingertips—hidden in the reports, records, and calls for service that come...

Why Proactive Crime Prevention Matters When people ask me what I do, the short answer is this: I help law enforcement professionals and...

I was recently asked by a professional in the banking and fraud risk management field whether my new book would be of value to them. It’s...

Ever catch yourself thinking... about thinking? Maybe after a call, you're sitting in the patrol car or at your desk, replaying what...

Focused deterrence is a proven, evidence-based policing strategy that targets the small number of individuals or groups responsible for a...

Not long ago, a seasoned police leader asked me, “Isn’t evidence-based policing just what we already do?” It was an honest question—and a...

Why? This is a question that is common to hear from law enforcement professionals, as well as community members and leaders. Why is it...

Why is evidence based policing and problem oriented policing so important for police officers to learn & utilize? Evidence-based policing...