Geography of Crime
"Geography of Crime" dives deep into how location shapes the risk of crime, featuring expert insights from sociologists, criminologists, law enforcement, and business security leaders. Hosted by Dr. Grant Drawve, CAP Index's VP of Geospatial Crime Solutions, this podcast uncovers the critical role of place in protecting businesses and communities.
Geography of Crime
The Power of Partnership: Reimagining Public Safety with Dr. Alejandro Gimenez-Santana
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Dr. Alejandro Gimenez-Santana joins Geography of Crime to discuss his work leading the Newark Public Safety Collaborative, a groundbreaking initiative that unites law enforcement, community groups, and local government to co-produce public safety solutions. He shares how place-based, data-driven strategies—like improved lighting and targeted interventions at high-crime areas—have helped reduce violence in Newark, while emphasizing the importance of academic-community partnerships, trust, and long-term investment in underserved neighborhoods. Through this model, Santana argues, cities can make smarter, more sustainable choices to enhance public safety.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Policing alone isn’t enough: Police are often expected to address challenges that go well beyond their scope—like poverty, youth services, or mental health. That’s why collaboration across sectors, including community groups and local government, is essential to creating lasting public safety.
Data and place matter: GIS and spatial analysis help identify crime hotspots and evaluate the true impact of interventions.
CEPTED works: Environmental design changes like improved lighting or community cleanups can lead to significant reductions in crime.
Trust takes time: Community partnerships require sustained engagement, transparency, and mutual benefit—not one-sided academic extraction.
Youth need opportunity: Addressing inequality and providing meaningful opportunities for young people is critical to long-term crime prevention.
Funding structures often hinder collaboration: Organizations are disincentivized to work together due to competition for limited grants.
RELATED INFORMATION
Alejandro Giménez Santana
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
School of Criminal Justice
Rutgers University
Links:
rscj.newark.rutgers.edu/people/faculty/dr-alex-gimenez-santana/
Special thanks to our host, Dr. Grant Drawve. Connect with him via email or LinkedIn.
Explore CAP's Research and Innovation Team here.
Want to learn more about CAP Index? Visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.
