In this episode of the Geography of Crime podcast, host Grant Drawve spoke with Dr. Tim Hart, Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Tampa. Rather than focusing on any single topic, the conversation highlighted how closely connected issues around GIS, crime data, methodology, and emerging tools like AI have become.

Dr. Hart emphasized the importance of understanding how analytic tools actually work. As crime analysis and research rely more heavily on software, automation, and dashboards, understanding assumptions and limitations becomes more critical, not less. Tools can generate results quickly, but without careful interpretation, those results can be misleading.

The conversation also explored how AI is showing up in research and applied analysis. Rather than framing AI as something to fear or blindly adopt, both speakers emphasized responsible and intentional use. AI can be helpful for testing assumptions, refining methods, and extracting insight from complex data, but only when paired with sound judgment. Avoiding AI entirely is not realistic, but using it without thinking through the implications is just as problematic.

Another recurring theme was learning as an ongoing process. Dr. Hart described revisiting complex methodological problems years later with new tools and better framing. This perspective challenges the idea of expertise as fixed and instead presents it as something built through continued learning, experimentation, and reflection.

The episode also addressed how crime data is communicated publicly. Crime counts are often shared without rates or broader context, which can distort public understanding and policy discussions. This reinforces the importance of careful measurement and clear communication, especially when data is used to inform real-world decisions.

This episode will be particularly useful for crime analysts, researchers, criminologists, criminal justice professionals, students, and educators. It is also relevant for anyone working with spatial data, GIS, policy analysis, or decision-making tools who wants a grounded perspective on how AI and analytics are shaping the field.

Listeners looking for practical insight rather than hype, and for thoughtful discussion that connects research and practice, will find this conversation especially valuable.

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.

How do thousands of messy crime reports get transformed into clear insights that help communities and businesses make smarter, safer decisions?

In this episode of the Geography of Crime podcast, host Dr. Grant Drawve talks with Emily Blackburn, CAP Index’s Director of Geospatial Crime Solutions. Emily shares her career journey from investigating Medicaid fraud to analyzing crime patterns for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and now leading innovative data solutions at CAP Index.

During her 15 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Emily worked with everything from street crime to major case analysis. That experience gave her a front-row seat to the challenges of collecting, cleaning, and interpreting crime data. Now, she brings those lessons to CAP Index, where she helps turn complex datasets into actionable intelligence for clients across the country.

You will learn about:

•  The importance of asking the right questions in crime analysis
•  The challenges of working with messy, inconsistent crime data
•  Why every statistic represents real people and communities
•  The biggest frustrations with crime data today
•  Emily’s advice for aspiring analysts

Emily also reflects on memorable investigations such as Operation Dirty Dozen, a Medicaid fraud case that still stands out in her career. She explains how her time at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department shaped her perspective on the gap between public perceptions of crime and the realities revealed by data.

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.

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: 

CV

LinkedIn 

agimenezsantana.com 

newarkcollaborative.org 

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.

In a lively discussion with Dr. Eric Piza from Northeastern University and Dr. Grant Drawve, VP of Geospatial Crime Solutions at CAP Index, the two experts explored the power of geospatial crime data in helping law enforcement agencies make better decisions and improve public safety.

A key takeaway from the conversation was the critical role of crime analysts in transforming data into actionable insights. As crime data becomes more complex, having dedicated analysts within law enforcement agencies is vital for understanding crime patterns, identifying hotspots, and optimizing resource allocation.

Dr. Piza and Dr. Drawve discussed how data visualization and geospatial mapping can drive preventative strategies that are more effective at addressing crime before it happens. Moreover, they emphasized that collaborative partnerships between researchers and law enforcement are essential for producing data-driven outcomes that make communities safer.

If your agency is considering building out or expanding a crime analysis team, this conversation is full of valuable insights.

Gratitude and thanks to Dr. Eric Piza for appearing. Learn more about him from his CV.

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.

Part 3 of Grant and Noah's discussion focuses on creating and improving a crime analysis internship program that bridges academic learning with practical experience. Key points include:

1. Internship Structure & Goals – The program aims to provide students with hands-on crime analysis experience through internships with local agencies, ultimately helping them build strong resumes and secure jobs. Students work on real projects like hotspot analyses and staffing studies.
2. Expansion Plans – Initially targeting police agencies in Summit County, Ohio, the program hopes to expand to northern and statewide partnerships.
3. Previous Successes – The speaker shares experiences from a similar program at Arizona State University, which successfully trained analysts who went on to high-level positions and created influential analytics firms.
4. Applied Learning Approach – The program requires students to complete ride-alongs, shadow detectives, and work on crime-related projects, ensuring they gain valuable, real-world experience.
5. Common Misconceptions in Crime Data – A major frustration is the misunderstanding of crime data, especially differentiating between calls for service, actual crimes, and arrest data. Law enforcement and media often misinterpret these metrics, leading to poor decision-making and reporting.

 As the episode comes to a close, it’s clear that Noah’s insights into crime risk forecasting provide a glimpse into the future of security. With the growing role of geospatial intelligence and advanced data analytics, businesses are now equipped with more powerful tools to proactively assess and mitigate risks. Noah emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of evolving crime trends, and how CAP Index continues to lead the way in delivering actionable, data-driven solutions. For organizations looking to optimize their security strategies, leveraging these innovations will be key to staying one step ahead of emerging threats. 

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.

Part 2 of Grant's interview with Noah Fritz introduces several key ideas related to the challenges and advancements in crime analysis, particularly for smaller law enforcement agencies. Here are the main points:

1. Challenges in Small and Rural Agencies – Many small and rural law enforcement agencies operate in an “echo chamber,” resisting change and relying on outdated methods. Leadership often adheres to a "if it ain't broke, don’t fix it" mentality, which can hinder progress.
2. Lack of Adoption of Crime Mapping – Some police departments resist crime mapping and analysis, believing they already "know" where crime happens. However, they fail to consider long-term trends or patterns that data analysis can reveal.
3. Educational Barriers in Policing – While larger agencies often require higher education for promotions, many smaller and mid-sized departments do not. The field remains largely blue-collar, which can limit the adoption of analytical tools.
4. Bridging Academia and Law Enforcement – The discussion highlights how academic criminology research often remains in an "echo chamber," written for tenure rather than practical application. The challenge is to translate research into actionable insights using common-sense language.
5. Crime Mapping and Technology Evolution – The speaker reflects on the evolution of crime mapping, from early tools like MapInfo 1.0 to modern GIS-based clustering. Today, tools like ArcGIS allow for deeper hotspot analysis, making it easier to identify micro-hotspots within larger problem areas.
6. Overcoming Budget Constraints – Smaller agencies often lack budgets for dedicated crime analysts. Some innovative solutions have included training sworn officers in crime mapping as a workaround. A past example in Denver led to increased funding and the hiring of crime analysts.
7. Use of Open-Source and Digital Tools – Advances in technology, including Google Street View, allow crime analysts to assess neighborhoods remotely. This method, known as "systematic social observation," has been explored in academic research as a way to identify environmental risk factors (e.g., signs of disorder like trash or abandoned vehicles).
8. Need for Incremental Progress – The discussion emphasizes that law enforcement agencies don’t need to start with cutting-edge tools but should take incremental steps toward better crime analysis. Even simple spreadsheet-based analysis or free mapping tools can provide valuable insights.

Be on the lookout for part 3 of Grant's interview with Noah Fritz, entitled "Navigating Crime Risks: The Future of Geospatial Intelligence and Crime Forecasting."

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.

Here’s a quick overview of the key topics discussed in Part 1 of Grant's conversation with Dr. Noah Fritz: 

1. Excel in Crime Analysis – Despite its limitations, Excel remains valuable for crime analysis due to its pivot tables, visualization capabilities, and widespread familiarity.
2. Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) – ILP focuses on targeting the "Chronic 6%" (6% of offenders responsible for 50-60% of crimes) and identifying crime hotspots (5% of locations account for 50% of calls).
3. Strategic & Predictive Policing – Emphasizes "right place, right time" policing, combining AI-driven predictive tools with qualitative insights from officers and analysts.
4. Crime Prevention Integration – Calls for better collaboration between crime prevention units and analysts to implement proven strategies like CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design).
5. Proactive vs. Reactive Policing – Advocates for a strategic "playbook" approach to plan for known crime patterns and evaluate past interventions, moving away from reactive responses.
6. Data-Driven Policing – Highlights the shift toward rigorous evaluations (e.g., randomized control trials) to assess the effectiveness of targeted strategies like hotspot policing.
7. Technology in Crime Prevention – Discusses the growing role of tech like CCTV, ShotSpotter, and AI in policing and crime analysis, with an emphasis on evaluating their effectiveness.

Thank you for tuning in to Part 1 of the first episode of Geography of Crime. Special thanks to Dr. Noah Fritz, one of the OGs in the criminology world and a past president of the International Association of Crime Analysts. Their conversation continues in Part 2, where they will dive deeper into predictive policing and the evolving role of technology with Dr. Fritz. 

Learn more about Dr. Fritz in his bio on the University of Akron site, or view his resume.

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.

Why does crime happen in some places more than others? What patterns shape the risks we face? 

In The Geography of Crime, we dig into the data, trends, and real-world factors that define crime risk across the country. In this short introductory episode, host Dr. Grant Drawve—Vice President of Geospatial Crime Solutions at CAP Index—shares what you can expect from the podcast. 

With expert insights, compelling stories, and data-driven analysis, this series will change the way you think about crime and place. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single episode!

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.