Overview
Crime and violence reduction strategies include preventive actions and effective responses that follow a structured approach to problem-solving rooted in a thorough assessment of local issues.
A focus on crime and violence reduction includes problem assessment, strategic planning, implementation, community engagement, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
KI Site
Dallas Police Department
The Dallas, Texas, Police Department (DPD) is part of the Knowledge Lab’s Knowledge and Innovation Site (KI) Network for its data-driven, place-based strategy to address violent crime. Anchored in its Violent Crime Reduction Plan, the DPD focuses resources on high- crime micro-locations, coordinates daily across patrol, investigations, and specialized units, and adapts deployments based on real-time trends. The department works closely with city leadership, prosecutors, community partners, and researchers to align tactics and maintain a unified response. This collaborative, multi-layered approach has supported measurable reductions in violent crime and strengthened coordination across the city. The DPD’s emphasis on continuous monitoring, cross-unit collaboration, and community engagement offers valuable insights into effective, sustainable violence-reduction strategies.
Self-Review Tool
The Knowledge Lab is developing an online self-review tool to help agencies reflect on their current policies and practices evaluate them against research and evidence-informed practices their performance in key areas of policing. This tool is intended to provide a snapshot of where an agency currently stands within this core practice area. There are no right or wrong answers, only an opportunity for honest reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.
Resources Related to Crime and Violence Reduction
Guidebook/Tool | 2017
Assessing Responses to Problems: Did It Work? An Introduction for Police Problem-Solvers
The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.