Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
@vrcinfo.bsky.social
The Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction (the VRC) at the University of Maryland translates sound science into practical anti-violence policy.
“What if I told you social media isn’t just a platform but a neighborhood?"- @dupatton.bsky.social, keynote speaker at our symposium. A leading researcher on social media and community gun violence, his work is reshaping how we approach digital spaces in violence prevention. White paper coming soon!
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“What if I told you social media isn’t just a platform but a neighborhood?"- @dupatton.bsky.social, keynote speaker at our symposium. A leading researcher on social media and community gun violence, his work is reshaping how we approach digital spaces in violence prevention. White paper coming soon!
This #GivingTuesday, join us in helping cities save lives by stopping violence. Our partners are outperforming national averages for violence reduction, and our research is moving the field towards approaches that are both effective and fair. Donate now! giving.umd.edu/make-a-gift?...
December 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This #GivingTuesday, join us in helping cities save lives by stopping violence. Our partners are outperforming national averages for violence reduction, and our research is moving the field towards approaches that are both effective and fair. Donate now! giving.umd.edu/make-a-gift?...
A thoughtful op-ed from @startribune.com highlighting the framework Director @thomasabt.bsky.social presents in Bleeding Out. Addressing violence effectively requires focus, balance, and fairness. Read here: www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...
Opinion | Stop the Bleeding: A proven plan for violence reduction in Minneapolis
Any deterrence plan must be focused, balanced and fair. The consent decree won’t suffice. But cities like Boston and Oakland offer templates, law professor Francis X. Shen writes.
www.startribune.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A thoughtful op-ed from @startribune.com highlighting the framework Director @thomasabt.bsky.social presents in Bleeding Out. Addressing violence effectively requires focus, balance, and fairness. Read here: www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
Detroit is looking for a new Director of Community Violence Intervention. See the link below. www.risehigherdetroit.com/jobs
Job Opportunities | Join Detroit's Future Today — Rise Higher Detroit
Explore job opportunities with Rise Higher Detroit and contribute to the city's future. Join our team and help shape Detroit's next chapter.
www.risehigherdetroit.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Detroit is looking for a new Director of Community Violence Intervention. See the link below. www.risehigherdetroit.com/jobs
VRC Director, @thomasabt.bsky.social highlighted the VRC's white paper on Community Violence Problem Analysis (CVPA) at the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms. CVPA is a key tool to reduce fatal & nonfatal shootings.
Read here: vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...
Read here: vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...
vrc.umd.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
VRC Director, @thomasabt.bsky.social highlighted the VRC's white paper on Community Violence Problem Analysis (CVPA) at the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms. CVPA is a key tool to reduce fatal & nonfatal shootings.
Read here: vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...
Read here: vrc.umd.edu/sites/vrc.um...
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
Very pleased to see Knoxville's Project TLC recognized by both
@bloombergcities.bsky.social and the IACP (links below). Kudos to Mayor Kincannon, Chief Noel, LaKenya Middlebrook and all the amazing folks who helped make it happen. The @vrcinfo.bsky.social is proud to partner with you!
@bloombergcities.bsky.social and the IACP (links below). Kudos to Mayor Kincannon, Chief Noel, LaKenya Middlebrook and all the amazing folks who helped make it happen. The @vrcinfo.bsky.social is proud to partner with you!
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Very pleased to see Knoxville's Project TLC recognized by both
@bloombergcities.bsky.social and the IACP (links below). Kudos to Mayor Kincannon, Chief Noel, LaKenya Middlebrook and all the amazing folks who helped make it happen. The @vrcinfo.bsky.social is proud to partner with you!
@bloombergcities.bsky.social and the IACP (links below). Kudos to Mayor Kincannon, Chief Noel, LaKenya Middlebrook and all the amazing folks who helped make it happen. The @vrcinfo.bsky.social is proud to partner with you!
Decades of rigorous research on gun violence interventions exist, but evidence is scattered. An updated meta-review is underway and was highlighted at the 2025 National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms by
@thomasabt.bsky.social.
Campbell Protocol: tinyurl.com/653rdh4d
@thomasabt.bsky.social.
Campbell Protocol: tinyurl.com/653rdh4d
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Decades of rigorous research on gun violence interventions exist, but evidence is scattered. An updated meta-review is underway and was highlighted at the 2025 National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms by
@thomasabt.bsky.social.
Campbell Protocol: tinyurl.com/653rdh4d
@thomasabt.bsky.social.
Campbell Protocol: tinyurl.com/653rdh4d
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
At @vrcinfo.bsky.social, we seem to be particularly effective at doing this, and the initial results (we believe in rigorous evaluation so don't want to oversell) are promising.
November 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
At @vrcinfo.bsky.social, we seem to be particularly effective at doing this, and the initial results (we believe in rigorous evaluation so don't want to oversell) are promising.
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
This piece celebrates the work of community violence intervention, which is good and important, but I would have liked more acknowledgement that crime is also falling because of the work of law enforcement. In fact... www.washingtonpost.com/nation/inter...
These five cities help explain why homicide rates are down across the U.S.
Homicides are down nearly 20 percent this year in 52 of America’s largest cities, a decline that spans both red states and blue states.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This piece celebrates the work of community violence intervention, which is good and important, but I would have liked more acknowledgement that crime is also falling because of the work of law enforcement. In fact... www.washingtonpost.com/nation/inter...
At our Social Media Symposium last week, the VRC hosted panels with youth, law enforcement, community-based workers, and researchers to discuss solutions to community violence in the digital age. Keep an eye out for our white paper offering actionable insights!
November 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
At our Social Media Symposium last week, the VRC hosted panels with youth, law enforcement, community-based workers, and researchers to discuss solutions to community violence in the digital age. Keep an eye out for our white paper offering actionable insights!
VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social and Research Associate Mark Mills had the opportunity of presenting at the @amersoccriminology.bsky.social annual conference. They presented on Obstacles and Opportunities for Evidence-Informed Anti-Violence Policy.
November 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM
VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social and Research Associate Mark Mills had the opportunity of presenting at the @amersoccriminology.bsky.social annual conference. They presented on Obstacles and Opportunities for Evidence-Informed Anti-Violence Policy.
Watch this brief but insightful presentation by @avpapachristos.bsky.social on using network science to better understand and address community gun violence. Understanding these networks is key to creating targeted interventions that can save lives and improve safety.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnlH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnlH...
Prof. Andrew Papachristos on Gun Violence and The Company You Keep
YouTube video by Vera Institute of Justice
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Watch this brief but insightful presentation by @avpapachristos.bsky.social on using network science to better understand and address community gun violence. Understanding these networks is key to creating targeted interventions that can save lives and improve safety.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnlH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnlH...
Today, the VRC brought together voices from across sectors to discuss how social media can both impact and help prevent community violence. Real conversations, and real collaboration. Thank you to everyone who shared your solution-driven insights! Our white paper coming soon.
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Today, the VRC brought together voices from across sectors to discuss how social media can both impact and help prevent community violence. Real conversations, and real collaboration. Thank you to everyone who shared your solution-driven insights! Our white paper coming soon.
@jama.com convened 60 experts from diverse fields to design a forward-looking roadmap for significantly reducing firearm-related harm by 2040. Read more on evidence-informed strategies: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The JAMA Summit Report on Reducing Firearm Violence and Harms
This Special Communication discusses the JAMA Summit on Firearm Violence and provides an innovations roadmap to lead to substantial reductions in firearm violence, injuries, and harm in the US by 2040...
jamanetwork.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
@jama.com convened 60 experts from diverse fields to design a forward-looking roadmap for significantly reducing firearm-related harm by 2040. Read more on evidence-informed strategies: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) approaches vary in theory, activities & populations served. This grey lit review shows how CVI practitioners, funders & scholars define and apply strategies. Timely read for research, practice & policy: doi.org/10.1177/0046...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) approaches vary in theory, activities & populations served. This grey lit review shows how CVI practitioners, funders & scholars define and apply strategies. Timely read for research, practice & policy: doi.org/10.1177/0046...
@thomasabt.bsky.social, Director of the Violence Reduction Center, moderated a panel with key stakeholders focused on strategies that have led to a significant reduction in gun violence in New Orleans and how to ensure their sustainability. Watch here: vimeo.com/1121566754?f...
Katrina 20 Discussion Panel: Past, Present, and Future of Public Safety
This is "Katrina 20 Discussion Panel: Past, Present, and Future of Public Safety" by Orleans Parish District Attorney on Vimeo, the home for high quality…
vimeo.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
@thomasabt.bsky.social, Director of the Violence Reduction Center, moderated a panel with key stakeholders focused on strategies that have led to a significant reduction in gun violence in New Orleans and how to ensure their sustainability. Watch here: vimeo.com/1121566754?f...
Thank you to the City of New Orleans and Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office for the opportunity to engage with community stakeholders advancing the City’s innovative public safety efforts, which have led to a significant drop in homicides.
The VRC was honored to support this important work!
The VRC was honored to support this important work!
October 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Thank you to the City of New Orleans and Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office for the opportunity to engage with community stakeholders advancing the City’s innovative public safety efforts, which have led to a significant drop in homicides.
The VRC was honored to support this important work!
The VRC was honored to support this important work!
In the St. Louis region, SaveLivesNow is using science to guide its crime strategy with promising initial signs. If it succeeds, people will need to know about it.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Messenger: Crime fighters in cities need data. What happens when Trump erases it?
A website operated by the Justice Department tracks crime reduction strategies — but it isn't being maintained.
www.stltoday.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
In the St. Louis region, SaveLivesNow is using science to guide its crime strategy with promising initial signs. If it succeeds, people will need to know about it.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
In this article, @tonymess.bsky.social connects evidence and crime-fighting, both in St. Louis and beyond. Pleased to have been a part of it and glad to see the @vrcinfo.bsky.social's work mentioned. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Messenger: Crime fighters in cities need data. What happens when Trump erases it?
A website operated by the Justice Department tracks crime reduction strategies — but it isn't being maintained.
www.stltoday.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In this article, @tonymess.bsky.social connects evidence and crime-fighting, both in St. Louis and beyond. Pleased to have been a part of it and glad to see the @vrcinfo.bsky.social's work mentioned. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction
Pleased to see the lessons from Bleeding Out are still getting out there. Focus. Balance. Fairness. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/19/d...
Don’t go backward on how we fight violent crime. We know what works • Iowa Capital Dispatch
"Fear, denial, and division lead us to cast blame and grasp for outdated solutions" to violent crime and abandon strategies that work.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Pleased to see the lessons from Bleeding Out are still getting out there. Focus. Balance. Fairness. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/19/d...
Last week, VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social gave the keynote at Sacramento Police Department's Violent Crime Summit. Thank you to Dr. Nicole Clavo-Barclay and Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester for the opportunity to discuss the work of the VRC!
September 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Last week, VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social gave the keynote at Sacramento Police Department's Violent Crime Summit. Thank you to Dr. Nicole Clavo-Barclay and Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester for the opportunity to discuss the work of the VRC!
@reducingcrime.com highlights @dallaspd.bsky.social data-driven crime plan. Violent crime dropped 19%, 30% in key areas.
How?
• Hotspot policing
•Place-based Network investigations
• Focused deterrence on high-risk individuals
Worth a closer look: www.linkedin.com/posts/reduci...
#CrimeReduction
How?
• Hotspot policing
•Place-based Network investigations
• Focused deterrence on high-risk individuals
Worth a closer look: www.linkedin.com/posts/reduci...
#CrimeReduction
If you are reading the International Association of Chiefs of Police 'Police Chief' magazine for August over the weekend, make sure to read about a recent evaluation of the Dallas Police Depar...
If you are reading the International Association of Chiefs of Police 'Police Chief' magazine for August over the weekend, make sure to read about a recent evaluation of the Dallas Police Department cr...
www.linkedin.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
@reducingcrime.com highlights @dallaspd.bsky.social data-driven crime plan. Violent crime dropped 19%, 30% in key areas.
How?
• Hotspot policing
•Place-based Network investigations
• Focused deterrence on high-risk individuals
Worth a closer look: www.linkedin.com/posts/reduci...
#CrimeReduction
How?
• Hotspot policing
•Place-based Network investigations
• Focused deterrence on high-risk individuals
Worth a closer look: www.linkedin.com/posts/reduci...
#CrimeReduction
Today is the last day to apply for best consideration for our Deputy Director role! Apply now and make an impact in violence reduction!
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCP/job/Uni...
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCP/job/Uni...
Faculty Specialist
Job Description Summary ORGANIZATION SUMMARY STATEMENT Position Overview and Key Responsibilities The Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction (“the VRC”) seeks an experienced and energ...
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Today is the last day to apply for best consideration for our Deputy Director role! Apply now and make an impact in violence reduction!
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCP/job/Uni...
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCP/job/Uni...
🚨 There's still time to apply! 🚨
The VRC is looking for an experienced Deputy Director to lead research, policy guidance, as well as day-to-day management and mid- and long-term planning.
Apply today for best consideration.
tinyurl.com/applyvrc
The VRC is looking for an experienced Deputy Director to lead research, policy guidance, as well as day-to-day management and mid- and long-term planning.
Apply today for best consideration.
tinyurl.com/applyvrc
September 12, 2025 at 7:04 PM
🚨 There's still time to apply! 🚨
The VRC is looking for an experienced Deputy Director to lead research, policy guidance, as well as day-to-day management and mid- and long-term planning.
Apply today for best consideration.
tinyurl.com/applyvrc
The VRC is looking for an experienced Deputy Director to lead research, policy guidance, as well as day-to-day management and mid- and long-term planning.
Apply today for best consideration.
tinyurl.com/applyvrc
As @nytimes.com highlights, VRC-partner cities, City of Knoxville, @boston.gov, and @cityofstl.bsky.social are seeing violent crime drop faster than the national avg. Memphis is on track to reach this level. Violence reduction should be evidence-based, not partisan.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
Crime Festers in Republican States While Their Troops Patrol Washington
www.nytimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM
As @nytimes.com highlights, VRC-partner cities, City of Knoxville, @boston.gov, and @cityofstl.bsky.social are seeing violent crime drop faster than the national avg. Memphis is on track to reach this level. Violence reduction should be evidence-based, not partisan.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...