Council on Criminal Justice

OUT TODAY: CCJ’s mid-year 2024 crime trends report shows that homicide and most other violent crimes have dropped to pre-pandemic levels in a sample of U.S. cities. The report is the 13th the Council has produced since mid-2020. Explore the full analysis by Ernesto Lopez and Bobby Boxerman: https://lnkd.in/gGaqwuSd   In addition to the longer-term trends, the study also documented declines for 11 of 12 crime types in the first six months of this year compared to the first half of 2023. Homicides were 13% lower, representing 319 fewer lives lost in the 29 cities providing data for that crime. Nineteen of those cities recorded decreases in homicide, ranging from a drop of 71% in Chandler, AZ, to an 8% decline in Austin. Nine cities experienced increases, ranging from 5% in St. Louis to 26% in Buffalo.    Motor vehicle theft, a crime that had risen sharply since mid-2020, reversed its trend this year, dropping 18%. But shoplifting (+24%) was a different story. A crime that has received extensive attention from the media and policymakers, reported shoplifting incidents increased by 24% in 23 study cities during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. It’s unclear how much of the change may reflect an actual rise in incidents or increased reporting of incidents to law enforcement.     Said CCJ Senior Research Specialist Ernesto Lopez: “Especially with homicide, the continuing downward trends are heartening, as every killing prevented is a life saved. But crime is heavily influenced by local factors, and many U.S. cities continue to face high levels of violence.”    CCJ President and CEO Adam Gelb noted the encouraging trends while emphasizing the need for “policymakers and community leaders [to] accelerate the momentum by doubling down on crime-prevention strategies that are backed by evidence and are delivering measurable results.”   The Council also released four new factsheets spotlighting trends in assault, burglary, larceny, and robbery. Check out these data-based snapshots and more crime trends research at: https://lnkd.in/gMypPkX2   The mid-year crime trends, as well as recent recommendations to improve the nation’s crime data infrastructure from CCJ’s Crime Trends Working Group, will be discussed at a live web event today, July 25, at 12ET: https://lnkd.in/gX9MPxdt

It was great to meet former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. He and others from the Veteran Justice Commission were at our offices earlier this week to discuss how to provide meaningful employment opportunities to veterans and military spouses, including those who may have criminal backgrounds. Fun fact: I jokingly suggested a Lil Jon-style entrance for his DNC speech last night, which Secretary Panetta enjoyed (but sadly did not follow). 😁 #Veterans #EmploymentOpportunities

It was an honor to host the Council on Criminal Justice and their esteemed Veteran Justice Commission (VJC) in LinkedIn’s HQ’s Community Space last week. VJC’s mission to advocate for and support justice-involved members of the military community aligns perfectly with LinkedIn's values. This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting the military community and ensuring their success during and after their military service. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event possible. A big thank you to former US Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, Jim D. Seward, and the entire VJC Commission for joining us. It was incredible to hear the challenges you’re tackling, and we look forward to helping along the way. A special thank you to Cristian King and Gina Seith for planning and executing a flawless event, Blake Lawit for joining us and supporting the cause, and to Kavell Brown for sharing the important work you’re doing at LinkedIn to support the justice-impacted community. Looking forward to hosting VJC again next year and amplifying their impactful work!

Will you be joining CCJ's Centering Justice initiative tomorrow for this conversation on immigration and crime? Sign up below to be a part of a discussion that you won't want to miss.

ICYMI: Have you signed up for Tuesday's event? If not, register below:

Super pumped to be at LinkedIn headquarters in Mountain View, CA, for another in-person meeting of the Veterans Justice Commission, Council on Criminal Justice. The commission is discussing its recommendations on the back of the criminal justice system, the corrections and reentry phases. How can we better manage our veterans who find themselves entangled with the justice system? Such an honor to bring this group of leaders ( https://lnkd.in/gpdBEh7p ) together to discuss ways that we can prevent our veterans from falling through the cracks of the system. Let’s strive to make them all thrive! Cory Boatwright Jenifer Warren Olivia McLarnan Lindsey Kirchhoff Carla Bugg Pelicia E Hall Mark Inch

Is shoplifting as prevalent as the headlines suggest? Are larceny rates higher for juveniles or adults? How have clearance rates for larceny incidents changed over the past 60 years? Find out what the data say about these and other questions in the newest fact sheet from CCJ’s Crime Trends Working Group: https://lnkd.in/gMqXbT_w

How does immigration influence crime rates in the U.S.? How do immigration policies affect perceptions of safety? What additional research would help inform policies on immigration and crime? Join the Council on Criminal Justice’s Centering Justice initiative for a discussion with leading experts representing varied perspectives on one of the central issues of the 2024 election.

Meet Women’s Justice Commission member Norma Cumpian. As assistant deputy director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) and a formerly incarcerated individual, Cumpian is a fierce advocate for women and girls in the criminal justice system. In 2019, she co-designed and launched the coalition’s first women’s services department to better serve the needs of 1,300+ formerly and currently incarcerated members. In addition, she was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 to sit on California’s Board of State and Community Corrections. #MeetWJC

CCJ’s Veterans Justice Commission conducted a series of listening sessions with justice-involved veterans to discuss their experience in the justice system and their transition from the military to civilian life. In addition to citing the challenges related to service-related trauma, many participants expressed difficulties with securing housing, employment, and financial stability. Those who had limited work experience before serving and/or experienced injuries while serving reported the most arduous struggles. Read their stories at: https://lnkd.in/gSifYrYq