Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction

Focused deterrence can reduce crime: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and quasi‐experiments Research summary Crime and violence continue to be problems that plague urban areas across the United States and the globe. One key approach for responding to these problems is “focused deterrence” ...

The study by Anthony A. Braga, Brandon Turchan, and David Weisburd is an updated systematic review of focused deterrence strategies.

Focused deterrence was linked to a 23.7 percent drop in violent crime and a 25.1 percent reduction in violent firearm crime.

Read the study: doi.org/10.1111/1745...

We're hosting a webinar to mark the release of our new white paper, Addressing the Role of Social Media in Catalyzing Community Gun Violence. The discussion features leaders from research, public safety, practice and youth perspectives.
Register here umd.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The VRC is hosting a webinar on March 5th to launch our Social Media White Paper. Join the experts as they share key recommendations and explore how digital violence impacts real life. Registration link coming soon! Photo features @progressumd.bsky.social Co-Director, Joseph B. Richardson, PhD

Practice | Violence Reduction Center

Is this the ONLY thing cities should do? Of course not. In our work with cities, @vrcinfo.bsky.social recommended focused deterrence to 3 of 4 current partners, all of whom are successfully pursuing it. But we've recommended other strategies as well. vrc.umd.edu/practice

Focused deterrence can reduce crime: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and quasi‐experiments Research summary Crime and violence continue to be problems that plague urban areas across the United States and the globe. One key approach for responding to these problems is “focused deterrence” ...

A very important study with practical significance for the field of violence reduction was just published in Criminology & Public Policy. Read on. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform's latest report profiles @cityofoakland.bsky.social and Indianapolis showing how each city achieved consecutive years of reduced homicides and how concrete, actionable approaches can be replicated.
Read the full report: nicjr.org/files/galler...

The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform's Group Violence Reduction Strategy includes combining data-driven identification, respectful engagement, intensive relationship-based supports, focused enforcement when necessary, and performance tracking. Read here: nicjr.org/files/galler...

Community-Based Violence Intervention in the Aftermath of Homicide: Community Violence Prevention Specialists’ Proximity to and Perspectives on Community Safety and Healing - Julia J. Lund, Amanda J. ... Communities impacted by homicide endure profound loss and trauma, yet the voices of those intimately acquainted with navigating its aftermath are often overlook...

@ucdaviscvp.bsky.social spoke with 45 community violence prevention specialists (CVPS) to explore their role in preventing violence. Their proximity and perspective provide valuable guidance to inform and strengthen violence reduction efforts. Read more: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

YouTube video by KMOX The Chris & Amy Show 1-13-26

Check out VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social interview on the Chris and Amy show on @kmoxnews.bsky.social, where he discusses St. Louis's encouraging progress in violence reduction through the regional Save Lives Now! initiative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHN...

An important new report from the Council on Criminal Justice on the continued decline of crime rates in 40 U.S. cities:

Agree with this. @vrcinfo.bsky.social and others have been pushing these polices for the past few years and it's made a difference. Read the whole @nytimes.com piece, based on the @counciloncj.org's excellent new report. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...

The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform released The Successful Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, outlining an evidence-based approach that supports sustained reductions in gun violence nationwide.
Learn how cities use data to create safer communities.
Read: nicjr.org/files/galler...

The VRC recognizes Knoxville’s progress in public safety. According to preliminary 2025 crime data, homicides declined 26%, reaching the city's lowest total since 2016. Non-fatal shootings fell 27% in 2025, following a 45% reduction the prior year.
Report: knoxvilletnpolice.gov/wp-content/u...

Messenger: Crime is down again in St. Louis. Why aren't we talking about it? "Save Lives Now!" and other efforts are taking root. St. Louis elected and corporate leaders should be talking about it.

St.Louis reached its lowest homicide total since 2013. These ongoing reductions reflect regional collaboration, including St. Louis’s adoption of the evidence-based Save Lives Now! initiative to reduce homicides. The VRC is proud to support these efforts.
Read here: www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...

In 2025 the VRC deepened its impact. Highlights included hosting the Social Media Symposium; expanding partnerships to five cities, including Memphis and @atlantageorgia.bsky.social; presenting at the American Society of Criminology conference; and welcoming our Deputy Director.
A year of growth!

Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in 2025. A look at what the city did Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in the past year. NPR's Michel Martin asks Thomas Abt, a criminology professor at the University of Maryland, what Baltimore did right.

VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social recently spoke with @michelmartinnpr.bsky.social on @npr.org about violence reduction in Baltimore and nationwide. Across the country, evidence-informed, community-informed strategies are having an impact. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/n....

Looking at the historic reduction in US homicides from many angles. I appreciate the Real-Time Crime Index data - 12-month rolling trends for 570 cities 2018-2025. But this graph from U Chicago Crime Lab made me appreciate what Baltimore and St Louis have accomplished from their peak to 2025.

Here are 2 great articles on Baltimore, a city on track to have the lowest annual homicides since the 70s. The 1st focuses on the city's highly success GVRS strategy and law enforcement, the 2nd emphasizes proven supports and services. Both are critically important.

2025 will be historic in terms of crime and violence reduction. Murder will drop by the largest one-year percentage ever recorded and fall to levels we haven't seen since the 60s.

It was a full house last night! The VRC is energized by the thoughtful dialogue helping shape public safety. We appreciate everyone who joined, including representatives from @durhamcounty.bsky.social and @cityofdurhamnc.bsky.social. Photos feature Mayor Leonardo Williams and @thomasabt.bsky.social.

The VRC is excited to join @cityofdurhamnc.bsky.social and @durhamcounty.bsky.social's strategy and learning session on violence reduction. @thomasabt.bsky.social will present highlighting how data-driven, community-centered interventions can reduce violence. We look forward to the conversation.

We’re excited to welcome Amber Parker as the VRC’s new Deputy Director! Amber brings decades of experience in justice reform, violence prevention, and community safety, having worked across federal, state, and local systems. Read the full announcement below! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Durham Invites Residents to Informative Session on Violence Reduction with Expert Thomas Abt at County Public Library Durham is launching its Violence Reduction Plan with a public session featuring expert Thomas Abt at the Durham County Public Library on December 17, aimed at addressing the city's violence issues.

The Violence Reduction Center is excited to join @cityofdurhamnc.bsky.social and @durhamcounty.bsky.social as they launch the first phase of their Violence Reduction Plan. We’re grateful to be part of this effort to build a safer future for all communities. Read here: hoodline.com/2025/12/durh...

“What if I told you social media isn’t just a platform but a neighborhood?"- @dupatton.bsky.social, keynote speaker at our symposium. A leading researcher on social media and community gun violence, his work is reshaping how we approach digital spaces in violence prevention. White paper coming soon!

This #GivingTuesday, join us in helping cities save lives by stopping violence. Our partners are outperforming national averages for violence reduction, and our research is moving the field towards approaches that are both effective and fair. Donate now! giving.umd.edu/make-a-gift?...

Opinion | Stop the Bleeding: A proven plan for violence reduction in Minneapolis Any deterrence plan must be focused, balanced and fair. The consent decree won’t suffice. But cities like Boston and Oakland offer templates, law professor Francis X. Shen writes.

A thoughtful op-ed from @startribune.com highlighting the framework Director @thomasabt.bsky.social presents in Bleeding Out. Addressing violence effectively requires focus, balance, and fairness. Read here: www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...

Detroit is looking for a new Director of Community Violence Intervention. See the link below. www.risehigherdetroit.com/jobs

VRC Director, @thomasabt.bsky.social highlighted the VRC's white paper on Community Violence Problem Analysis (CVPA) at the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms. CVPA is a key tool to reduce fatal & nonfatal shootings.
Read here: vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...

Very pleased to see Knoxville's Project TLC recognized by both
@bloombergcities.bsky.social and the IACP (links below). Kudos to Mayor Kincannon, Chief Noel, LaKenya Middlebrook and all the amazing folks who helped make it happen. The @vrcinfo.bsky.social is proud to partner with you!

Decades of rigorous research on gun violence interventions exist, but evidence is scattered. An updated meta-review is underway and was highlighted at the 2025 National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms by
@thomasabt.bsky.social.
Campbell Protocol: tinyurl.com/653rdh4d