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Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)

Don't Jump the Shark: Understanding Deterrence and Legitimacy in the Architecture of Law Enforcement

November 2010

Deterrence theory dominates the American understanding of how to regulate criminal behavior but social psychologists' research shows that people comply for reasons that have nothing to do with fear of punishment; they have to do with values, fair procedures and how people connect with one another. Professor Meares discussed the relevance of social psychologists' emerging theory to legal theory and practice and how deterrence and emerging social psychology theories intertwine.

Evaluation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, FY 2019

Closing Date

NIJ is seeking applications for funding a multi-site evaluation of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a Department of Justice-sponsored initiative that involves cooperation of multiple criminal justice agencies and their partners working at the local level to develop and implement strategic responses to reduce gun crime. PSN also prioritizes the leadership of United States Attorney Offices in coordinating local efforts and carrying...

Game Change: How Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships Are Redefining How We Study Crime

June 2012

Opening Plenary Panel
When researchers and practitioners work side by side, they can maximize their problem-solving abilities. The research partner can focus on the data and the science; the practitioner can focus on interpreting the findings and applying them in the field. In the plenary panel, panelists described the benefits, challenges and pitfalls of researcher-practitioner partnerships with a focus on the financial benefits to the practitioner.

Moderator: John H. Laub, Director, National Institute of Justice

Panelists: