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Public Safety & Criminal Justice Center

About the Center

The Public Safety & Criminal Justice Center at Common Sense Institute is committed to advancing research and policies that promote a safe, fair, and effective criminal justice system. Our center focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities within public safety and criminal justice, with the goal of fostering a system that protects communities, ensures justice, and supports rehabilitation.

We conduct in-depth analyses on a wide range of topics, including law enforcement practices, crime prevention, sentencing reform, and reentry programs. By providing data-driven insights and evidence-based recommendations, we aim to inform policymakers, law enforcement, and the public on the best strategies to enhance public safety while respecting individual rights and ensuring equitable treatment.

Our work emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that reduces crime, supports victims, and offers opportunities for offenders to reintegrate successfully into society. Through collaboration and informed discourse, the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Center seeks to contribute to a more just and secure future for all.

Research
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Crime & Public Safety
Human Trafficking in Colorado: 2023 New Record Year for Trafficking Crimes

Colorado’s crime surge in the early 2020s was not limited to property and violent crimes. Human trafficking also surged.

October 02, 2024 DJ Summers
Crime & Public Safety
Facts on Crime in Aurora High Migrant Areas

Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city, has made local and national headlines recently for criminal activity in apartment buildings allegedly related to members of a Venezuelan gang.

September 06, 2024 Mitch MorrisseyDJ Summers
Crime & Public Safety
Oregon’s Ongoing Fentanyl Crisis

Most western states have seen above-average growth in fentanyl use during recent years. Even so, Oregon’s experience stands out relative to its neighbors. Since the pandemic began, fentanyl-related overdose

June 26, 2024 Mark McMullen
Crime & Public Safety
Arizona’s Ongoing Fentanyl Crisis

CSI estimates that the cost of the fentanyl crisis to Arizona’s economy today is $58 billion.

Crime & Public Safety
Arizona Public Safety Competitiveness Index

FULL REPORT Authors: Steven L. Byers Ph.D. and Zachary Milne Introduction Crime directly affects the lives of all Arizonans and, if left unchecked, can significantly hamper the growth of the local economy.

Crime & Public Safety
Iowa Public Safety Competitiveness Index

Our Public Safety Competitiveness Index uncovered an interesting phenomenon in Iowa. Of all states, we spend 3rd least per capital on public safety yet have some of the best public safety outcomes in the na

Crime & Public Safety
Oregon Public Safety Competitiveness Index

Oregon has a problem with crime, homelessness, and drugs, ranking the state forty-six worst in the nation for public safety. Despite increasing spending on public safety per capita by 48.1% from 2011 to 202

May 23, 2024 Steven L. Byers, Ph.D.
Crime & Public Safety
The Cost of Juvenile Crime and its Economic Impact on Colorado

Since 2010, juvenile crime rates have decreased overall but have increased for crimes against person: murder (210%), aggravated assault (17%), and robbery (12.3%).

Crime & Public Safety
Spotlight on Crime in Aurora, CO.

The Aurora Crime Report reveals rising crime rates, decreased police effectiveness, and increased response times in Aurora.

Crime & Public Safety
Spotlight on Crime in Fort Collins

Fort Collins' crime rate has decreased by 18.8% since 2008, driven by reductions in property and personal crimes. Despite this, crime rates increased by 24% from 2019 to 2022.

Crime & Public Safety
The Cost of Crime and its Economic Impact on Colorado: Crime’s Impact on the Economy and Residents

Crime in Colorado costs $27 billion annually, impacting property values, insurance premiums, and economic growth. Reducing crime could significantly boost the economy and quality of life.

Crime & Public Safety
The Fight Against Crime in Colorado: Policing, Legislation, and Incarceration

Colorado's crime rate has risen 32% since 2010, driven by legislative changes, reduced prison populations, and fewer parole denials, highlighting the need for policy reassessment.

Crime & Public Safety
The Economic Consequences of Increased Motor Vehicle Theft Rates

Since 2014, Colorado's motor vehicle theft rate increased 233%, costing households $239 annually in insurance, and reducing jobs and GDP due to higher theft rates.

Crime & Public Safety
Spotlight on Crime in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs' crime rate dropped 9.3% since 2010, contrasting a state increase of 45.3%. Crime rates in the city are significantly lower than in Denver across multiple categories.

Crime & Public Safety
Spotlight on Crime in Grand Junction

Grand Junction's crime rate dropped 3.57% since 2010, driven by a decline in property crimes. However, crimes against persons rose by 19.8% since 2016.

Crime & Public Safety
Spotlight on Crime Rates in Denver

Denver's crime rate rose 43% since 2019, driven by motor vehicle thefts and property crimes, with District 9 experiencing the highest crime rates.

Crime & Public Safety
On the Road to $1 Billion in Vehicles Stolen: The Data Trends Behind Colorado’s Motor Vehicle Theft Crisis

Colorado has the highest motor vehicle theft rate in the U.S. Thefts increased 17.2% in early 2022, with only 9.4% resulting in arrests, impacting low-income areas most.

Crime & Public Safety
Fentanyl, Crime, and Arizona’s Southern Border

Opioid abuse has been a growing national problem; according to the CDC today opioids are a factor in three-quarters of all overdose deaths and since 2020 the crisis has only accelerated.

August 24, 2022 Glenn Farley
Crime & Public Safety
The Colorado Crime Wave: An Economic Analysis of Crime and the Need for Data Driven Solutions

The total cost of crime in Colorado exceeded $27 billion in 2020. While costs are disproportionately felt by victims, this implies an average cost per Coloradan of $4,762 per year.

December 09, 2021 Chris BrownMitch Morrissey