NCJ Number
255469
Date Published
2020
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This case study reviews how participation in the U.S. Justice Department's National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) enabled Nashville, Tennessee, to reduce violent crime in the city.
Abstract
The PSP provides an innovative framework for supporting state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution authorities in investigating and prosecuting violent criminals, particularly those involved in gun-related crime, drug trafficking, and gang violence. PSP enables participating cities to consult with and receive coordinated training and technical assistance (TTA) and resources to support violence-reduction strategies as part of a 3-year intervention. Nashville participated in the PSP from September 2016 to September 2019. While participating in the PSP, Nashville experienced an increase in violent crime in 2017 followed by a steady decrease in all violence in 2018 and 2019. The decrease in violent crime corresponded with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's (MNPD's) expansion of analytical intelligence capabilities and the development of social network analysis. This case study describes the building of the investigative capacities, the increase in the intelligence and analytical capabilities, and the expansion of the community engagement of the MNPD through PSP financial resources, training, and technical assistance. The city is now leveraging resources and sharing information at levels not previously possible. Nashville's leadership has rated as the most important aspect of PSP the professional community of support. The input of subject experts, peer visits, annual PSP symposiums, and inter-city exchange were rated as invaluable because of the sharing of ideas and features of best practices. Although many challenges remain, PSP has helped Nashville establish a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise for future developments in countering violent crime.