The Challenges of Implementing Place Network Investigation Strategies to Reduce Violent Crime

• In Event: Smart Policing Initiative: Place-Based Strategies to Reduce Crime

Abstract

Place network investigations (PNI) is a crime control and prevention strategy to reduce violent crime in micro-places. It involves collaborations between police departments and community stakeholders to disrupt crime in micro-places. Broadly, these entities work in partnership to identify places where violent crime is concentrated in a city, use intelligence-driven efforts to uncover and disrupt the criminal networks within these places, and work together to develop solutions to reduce and prevent violence in these areas. Our team has worked with police departments and stakeholders nationwide to assist them in implementing PNI as a violent crime control measure as part of a broader series of violence reduction strategies. This presentation will introduce our PNI process that has been implemented in Dallas and replicated and three cities. Additionally, we highlight the challenges faced with implementing PNI in both large and medium-sized cities, including obtaining investment from community stakeholders to participate in the process, creating operations plans to disrupt crime in these places, and data collection and management strategies. Finally, we offer suggestions for others who seek to engage in PNI efforts in other locations.

Authors

• Brandon Tregle, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Stephanie Michelle Cardwell, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Michael R. Smith, University of Texas at San Antonio