In 2020, there were protests in Seattle, Washington following the death of George Floyd. For a period of 24 days, an area that became known as the Capitol Hill Occupation Protest (CHOP) was treated as an autonomous zone where the police did not respond to calls. As a result, the CHOP zone became an exampleContinue reading “When Police Stop Policing With Guests Dr. Eric Piza and Nathan T. Connealy”
Author Archives: Eric Piza
President Trump spotlights crime in US cities: Here’s what the data shows
President Donald Trump has cast a spotlight on crime in several cities across the United States. Washington, D.C., was the first target when, in early August, Trump deployed National Guard troops to crack down on crime. Now, the president has said Baltimore and Chicago are next. “(Washington, D.C.,) serves as a template, and we’re going to doContinue reading “President Trump spotlights crime in US cities: Here’s what the data shows”
As Trump Deploys Troops To D.C., Research Shows Crime Is Already At Historic Lows
As National Guard troops from Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, and other states flood into Washington, D.C. under the Trump administration’s “crime crackdown,” one thing is missing: a crisis. In fact, crime in the nation’s capital is at a historic low. Violent crime is down 26% year-over-year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Nationally, the FBI’s most recentContinue reading “As Trump Deploys Troops To D.C., Research Shows Crime Is Already At Historic Lows”
Will Sacramento keep controversial gunshot-detection tech? Budget may be an issue
As Sacramento grapples with its multimillion-dollar structural deficit, officials are considering whether to commit money to a controversial gunfire-detection technology. For more than a decade, Sacramento has contracted and spent millions on ShotSpotter — a system that detects and locates suspected shooting incidents. Roughly 180 cities across the U.S. use this technology, according to California-basedContinue reading “Will Sacramento keep controversial gunshot-detection tech? Budget may be an issue”
Crime Prevention for Social Impact and Social Justice
Crime prevention should reduce harm and promote fairness. A new framework supports early action and community leadership. Real progress takes commitment and a focus on justice.
Can Nonexperimental Studies Improve the Policy Relevance of Crime Prevention Research? Insights from Public-Area Video Surveillance Interventions
Savannah A. Reid, Eric L. Piza, Brandon C. Welsh, and John P. Moylan Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (2024) Research BriefVersion of Record (Open Access) Key Takeaways Research Summary This article addresses a critical question in the field of evidence-based crime prevention: Can nonexperimental studies—those lacking experimental or quasi-experimental designs—enhanceContinue reading “Can Nonexperimental Studies Improve the Policy Relevance of Crime Prevention Research? Insights from Public-Area Video Surveillance Interventions”
Northeastern researchers call for greater attention to social impact and social justice in preventing crime
What do preschool and streetlights have in common? According to Northeastern University researchers, both are effective ways to prevent crime, and they don’t require the involvement of the formal justice system. These seemingly unrelated strategies—early childhood education and environmental design—share a crucial similarity, the researchers say. They focus on preventing crime before it occurs byContinue reading “Northeastern researchers call for greater attention to social impact and social justice in preventing crime”
Cleveland is spending millions on a controversial gunshot detection system. Is it making us safer?
Three years ago, the city of Cleveland agreed to quadruple the size of a controversial gunshot detection tool in the hopes of improving public safety. But after spending $2.8 million on it, emerging evidence suggests the tool is not putting more criminals behind bars or reducing gun violence. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer analyzed 129Continue reading “Cleveland is spending millions on a controversial gunshot detection system. Is it making us safer?”
The Relative and Joint Effects of Gunshot Detection Technology and Video Surveillance Cameras on Case Clearance in Chicago
Eric L. Piza, Nathan T. Connealy, Rachael A. Arietti, George O. Mohler, and Jeremy G. Carter (2025) Criminology & Public Policy Research BriefVersion of Record (Open Access) Key Takeaways Research Summary The current study is a comprehensive evaluation of how gunshot detection technology (GDT) and closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance systems affect police case clearance ratesContinue reading “The Relative and Joint Effects of Gunshot Detection Technology and Video Surveillance Cameras on Case Clearance in Chicago”
Video Surveillance and Security
Eric L. Piza (2025) International Association of Professional Security Consultants Research BriefVersion of Record (Open Access) Key Takeaways Research Summary This report critically examines the effectiveness of video surveillance—particularly CCTV—in crime prevention, detection, and public safety, with a focus on implications for private sector security practices. Drawing on decades of research and empirical evaluation, theContinue reading “Video Surveillance and Security”
Eric L. Piza, Ph.D. 