Democratizing Access to Data and Place-based Analysis for Decision-making: The Newark Public Safety Collaborative

• In Event: Open Data in Policing: Enhancing Public Safety and Transparency

Abstract

Public access to police and crime data remains limited, with few police departments disclosing incident-level data through open data portals. In contrast, academics and researchers enjoy greater access to crime data to produce valuable research with real-life implications. Unfortunately, this research doesn’t always reach its intended audience, with community organizations and other local stakeholders lacking access to research publications or the skills to interpret complex data outputs. Translating evidence into practice is crucial to understanding the role of data in co-production efforts for public safety. By “democratizing” data and analytics and making them more accessible, community stakeholders can be empowered to make data-informed decisions and engage in problem-solving activities. In the City of Newark, community-based organizations receive ongoing access to data and place-based analyses to inform their programs and activities through the Newark Public Safety Collaborative anchor initiative. This information has played a crucial role in supporting multiple co-produced crime prevention efforts, including reducing the risk of gun violence near corner stores/bodegas, drastically reducing the number of auto thefts in various hot spots, and significantly decreasing nighttime violent crime through enhanced street lighting.

Author

• Alejandro Gimenez Santana, Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice