The CINA MSI Summer Research team from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC recently presented an overview of their research project on the dynamics of high crime areas during the August 2020 CINA Board of Directors meeting.
Vernon Scott, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, and his team of researchers from Trinity Washington University receive guidance from Dr. Devon Johnson, George Mason University Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society along with researchers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) about possible directions and data acquisition.
“We focused on examining variables that may contribute to negative interactions between law enforcement officers and citizens,” Scott said of the project, still in its formative stages.
The project aims to answer three fundamental questions (1) Does working in a high crime area (Hot Spot), with increased exposure to violence, victimization, fear, and elevated rates of people subject to mental health issues, impact an officer’s community engagement? (2) Are officers susceptible to the effects of stress that are akin to neighborhood-level risk factors in the areas they work? (3) Are there elevated levels of stop and frisk incidents per person, in areas characterized as high crime areas?
Several CINA researcher partners were given the opportunity to share their research findings in a series of breakout rooms throughout the CINA annual meeting. An attendee inquired more about the Trinity team’s work, leading them to collaborate with FLETC.
To apply for the 2021 MSI Summer Research program, contact Stu Mackenzie.