Smart on Crime

1. Smart on Crime: A Balanced Approach to Public Safety

"To be smart about public safety is a constant exercise in triage."

Redefining "tough on crime". The Smart on Crime approach challenges the traditional notion of being "tough on crime" by advocating for a more balanced and effective strategy. This approach recognizes that simply increasing incarceration rates does not necessarily lead to improved public safety.

Three pillars of Smart on Crime:

• Maintain a relentless focus on violent criminals
• Identify key points in young offenders' lives to prevent escalation
• Support crime victims and foster prevention

Cost-effective solutions. By addressing the root causes of nonviolent crimes and investing in prevention and rehabilitation, communities can allocate more resources to combat serious violent offenses. This approach aims to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently.

2. The Myth of Deterrence: Addressing Root Causes of Crime

"Deterrence is one tool, and a very important tool. But the status quo tends to rely too heavily on the power of deterrence."

Limitations of harsh sentencing. While severe punishments can deter some crimes, they are often ineffective for nonviolent offenders, particularly those struggling with addiction or mental health issues. The high recidivism rates demonstrate that incarceration alone does not prevent future criminal behavior.

Factors influencing criminal behavior:

• Substance abuse
• Lack of education and job skills
• Mental health issues
• Poverty and economic instability

Alternative approaches. Smart on Crime advocates for addressing these underlying factors through targeted interventions, such as drug treatment programs, educational opportunities, and job training. By tackling the root causes of criminal behavior, communities can more effectively reduce crime rates and improve overall public safety.

3. Education as Crime Prevention: Tackling Truancy

"Crime and optimism do not always go hand in hand. But optimism and problem solving are part of my DNA."

The truancy-crime link. Chronic absenteeism in school is a strong predictor of future criminal behavior. By addressing truancy early, communities can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people entering the criminal justice system.

Multi-faceted approach to truancy:

• Prosecutor-led mediations with parents and schools
• Collaboration with social services to address underlying issues
• Community partnerships to provide mentoring and support
• Legal consequences for parents who consistently fail to ensure attendance

Long-term benefits. Investing in education and keeping children in school not only improves their future prospects but also contributes to safer communities. By tackling truancy, we address a critical point of intervention in the crime prevention continuum.

4. Breaking the Cycle: Innovative Re-entry Programs

"We know they're coming back. Yet it is only in the last fifteen or so years that the term re-entry has entered the lexicon of the justice system."

Addressing recidivism. With over 90% of incarcerated individuals eventually returning to their communities, effective re-entry programs are crucial for reducing repeat offenses and improving public safety.

Key components of successful re-entry programs:

• Job training and employment assistance
• Education and skill development
• Substance abuse treatment
• Mental health support
• Housing assistance
• Family reunification services

Back on Track program. This innovative initiative in San Francisco provides comprehensive support for nonviolent, first-time drug offenders. By offering education, job training, and life skills development, the program has reduced recidivism rates to less than 10% among participants, compared to the typical 50% rate.

5. Community Partnerships: Leveraging Resources for Safety

"Across the landscape of the criminal justice system, one of the emerging truths is also an ancient wisdom: The most effective safety and crime prevention is done by marshalling the energy and commitment of the people who live in a community."

Collaborative approach. Smart on Crime emphasizes the importance of partnerships between law enforcement, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community members to address crime effectively.

Examples of successful partnerships:

• Private sector job training programs for ex-offenders
• Faith-based mentoring and support services
• Community courts addressing quality-of-life crimes
• Nonprofit organizations providing educational and social services

Empowering communities. By involving various stakeholders in crime prevention efforts, communities become more invested in their own safety and can contribute valuable resources and insights to law enforcement strategies.

6. Empowering Victims: A Holistic Approach to Justice

"Safety is a fundamental civil right, a right due to all people whether they are young, old, or 'asking' to be victims."

Victim-centered justice. The Smart on Crime approach recognizes the importance of supporting and empowering crime victims throughout the justice process and beyond.

Key components of victim support:

• Comprehensive victim services programs
• Counseling and mental health support
• Financial assistance and resources
• Advocacy for victims' rights in the legal system
• Prevention education to reduce future victimization

Breaking cycles of victimization. Programs like LEAP (Lifeskills, Education, and Art Program) for domestic violence victims provide education, job skills, and empowerment tools to help break the cycle of abuse and prevent future victimization.

7. Addressing Violent Crime: Gang Prevention and Intervention

"Gangs are ruthless, toxic affiliations of people who band together to commit a broad array of crimes—drug dealing, burglaries, and violent assaults, as well as the premeditated murder of other gang-affiliated individuals and innocent citizens."

Comprehensive gang strategy. Effectively combating gang violence requires a multi-faceted approach that combines targeted enforcement with prevention and intervention efforts.

Key elements of gang prevention and intervention:

• Focused deterrence strategies (e.g., High Point model)
• Community-based interventions involving family and community leaders
• Enhanced witness protection programs
• Stricter gun control measures
• Youth outreach and mentoring programs

Breaking the cycle of gang violence. By addressing the root causes of gang involvement and providing alternatives for at-risk youth, communities can reduce the allure and power of gangs while improving overall safety.

8. Technology and Data-Driven Policing: CompStat and Beyond

"CompStat is an example of a way new management ideas can create more efficient use of police resources."

Leveraging data for effective policing. The CompStat model, developed in New York City, demonstrates the power of using real-time crime data to inform police strategies and resource allocation.

Benefits of data-driven policing:

• Rapid identification of crime patterns and hot spots
• More efficient deployment of police resources
• Increased accountability for crime reduction
• Improved communication between law enforcement agencies

Emerging technologies. Smart on Crime advocates for the adoption of new technologies to enhance law enforcement capabilities, such as shot detection systems, license plate readers, and advanced crime analysis software.

9. Accountability in Law Enforcement: Measuring Success

"Smart on Crime plans create an exciting form of accountability that keeps improving upon the idea."

Defining success beyond arrests. The Smart on Crime approach emphasizes the importance of measuring law enforcement success based on actual improvements in public safety and community well-being, rather than just arrest and conviction rates.

Key performance indicators:

• Reduction in overall crime rates
• Decrease in recidivism
• Improved community satisfaction and trust in law enforcement
• Successful re-entry of ex-offenders into society
• Reduction in gang activity and violence

Continuous improvement. By regularly evaluating the effectiveness of crime prevention and intervention strategies, law enforcement agencies can adapt their approaches and allocate resources more efficiently to achieve better outcomes for their communities.

Last updated: January 22, 2025