NCJ Number
255468
Date Published
2020
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This case study focuses on ways in which Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was enabled to improve its response to violent crime in the city by participating in the U.S. Justice Department's Public Safety Partnership (PSP).
Abstract
The PSP is a pilot program that enables cities to consult with and receive coordinated training and technical assistance that produces violence-reduction strategies that are data-driven, evidence-based, and tailored to the local needs of participating cities. In March 2016, Milwaukee was selected to participate in the PSP, and its participation continued through September 2018. The Milwaukee violent crime rate in 2011 was 999.1 per 100,000 population. The rate increased through 2014, when the violent crime rate was 1,484.7 per 100,000 population. At that time, the national violent crime rate averaged 362 per 100,000 population in 2014, and the national violent crime rate slowly decreased during the same period. Under the guidance and resources of the PSP, local and federal partner agencies developed a Violence Reduction Network (VRN) Milwaukee Strategic Plan in May 2016. It focused on reducing firearm-related violent crime in a hot spot. The PSP strategy focused on a geographic area of the city that accounted for just over 10 percent of the city's violent crime and 11 percent of priority calls for service. The strategy also targeted the most prolific violent offenders to disrupt the criminal activity of large and evolving networks. This involved collaborative strategies of intelligence collection and sharing, rapid and coordinated apprehension, and optimal prosecutions. In less than 1 year, the Milwaukee PSP strategy resulted in decreases in violent crime in the targeted area. This case study lists examples of training and technical assistance provided under the Milwaukee PSP. Key lessons from the Milwaukee PSP project are outlined. 2 tables