IPS Grantees
Through the Smart Prosecution/Innovative Prosecution Solutions initiative, practitioners around the nation are combatting violent crime by refining best practices and data-driven strategies, piloting new ones, and assessing their efforts. Meet these prosecutors and allied professionals below.
Grantees
The Problem
Clare County is a part of rural Michigan, with nearly a fifth of its residents living below the poverty line. County government is currently suffering a budget crisis, which has resulted in the reduction of staff within the prosecutor’s office and fewer resources devoted to the prosecution of violent crimes.
The Solution
The Clare County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO) is using its IPS grant to dedicate two Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys and an office-based investigator to respond to violent offenses. The CCPO is also updating its case tracking system by transitioning to Prosecutor by Karpel (PbK). This technology update will help transition the office into a paperless system and generate reports on crime statistics and trends. With an enhanced team and case management system, the CCPO will be able to more successfully prosecute violent crime in the county and hold offenders accountable.
The Evaluation
The team will document case-specific data within their case tracking system to document charges filed, weapons used, victim and offender demographics, and case results to determine the impact having dedicated prosecutors has on prosecuting violent crime. The data will also illuminate areas of challenge and the need for trainings and experts to provide additional insight.
The Team
Michelle Ambrozaitis — Prosecuting Attorney, CCPO
Dale Heugel — Investigator, CCPO
Mark Webb — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, CCPO
The Problem
The Superior Court of Fulton County designated the District Attorney as the evidence custodian for all criminal trial evidence, but the designation is without resources. As the evidence custodian, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has retained thousands of case files and pieces of evidence over the years. None of the evidence has been tracked, an online file management system is needed.
The Solution
The Fulton County District Attorney (FCDA) is building an evidence storage system with the hiring of an Investigator to lead, locate and create system. The FCDA is contracting with FileonQ to scan and track evidence. Physical evidence and files will be stored in a designated, secure location. The site is also creating policies and procedures on evidence storage and retention that can be used as a guideline for other jurisdictions.
The Evaluation
The Evidence Team will evaluate the evidence location, collection, and performance measures, create analysis reports of monthly results, and share the results with the District Attorney. Data collection will include surveys and interviews with prosecutors at various stages of the project to better understand how the new system has helped with case processing and outcomes in the Conviction Integrity Unit, the Public Integrity Unit, and the Appeals Unit.
The Team
William Clark — Assistant Chief, Evidence Division, FCDA
Michele Henry — Grant Writer, FCDA
Natalie Zellner — Chief Assistant District Attorney, Lobbying & Grants, FCDA
The Problem
Violent crime remains the greatest challenge for Manhattan’s law enforcement. In 2019, the top five violent felonies charged by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office were serious assaults, robberies, burglaries, weapons possession, and sex crimes. Prosecutors need up to date technology in order to and focus resources on high crime areas and prolific offenders.
The Solution
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY) is using Innovative Prosecution Solution (IPS) grant funds to enhance intelligence-driven prosecution by modernizing its Crime Strategies Unit (CSU). The office is using technology, intelligence, and data in innovative ways to focus resources on the people and places associated with high concentrations of crime. Increased use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, including both the use of spatial data as evidence and the presentation of high-quality professional maps as exhibits, can help increase the effectiveness of individual prosecutions. In addition to responding to violence on a case-by-case basis, working with larger spatial datasets can help the Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) from DANY’s CSU to perform targeted outreach to law enforcement and community partners. To assist in these goals, DANY is purchasing upgraded licenses for Adobe and Omnivore, a forensic video capturing tool. DANY is also purchasing data analysis and mapping tools, specifically ESRI ArcGIS. Lastly, the site is revamping its written policies and procedures to ensure sustainability.
The Evaluation
DANY’s Strategic Planning and Policy Unit (SPP) is collecting data to measure the project’s performance and sustainability. As the in-house policy unit of DANY, SPP will bring their expertise in grant management and data analytics to continually measure the impact of the program.
The Team
Shawn McMahon – Chief, CSU, DANY
Mary Ostberg – Deputy Chief, CSU, DANY
Sarah Ward – Strategic Data Analyst, CSU, DANY
Lorena Michelle — Deputy Director of Administrative Services, DANY
James Sowell — Chief Financial Officer, DANY
Rachael Alexandroff — Deputy Director of Analytics, Data Analytics and Research Unit, DANY
Sorrel Stetson — Senior Planning and Policy Analyst, Data Analytics and Research Unit, DANY
The Problem
The South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination (SCCPC) collects and analyzes prosecution and criminal justice data from the sixteen individual Circuit Solicitor's (prosecutors’) offices, and distributes it to the state legislature and criminal justice partners. Currently, the SCCPC does not have a software system to help aggregate and disseminate this data, and relies on an outdated data reporting process that requires manual entry of data.
The Solution
In order to more efficiently process incoming information, the SCCPC is developing and implementing a Prosecution Data Collection System to automate the majority of their reporting process. The system will standardize data entry from the various Circuit Solicitors’ offices, and enable the SCCPC to more efficiently evaluate that information through automatic integration and analysis. To compliment this system, the Commission will also hire a second Database Administrator to assit in overseeing the complex task of building and maintaining the database, and serve as a technology liason with the different prosecutor’s offices in the state. Ultimately, these improvements will allow prosecutors to spend more time on their caseloads, and enable the SCCPC to more effectively track criminal justice information and utilize it for reporting or training purposes.
The Evaluation
The Project Director and the Database Administrator are responsible for assessing project performance and evaluating the project’s effectiveness. They will collect data on the number of circuits that have submitted all requested data via the Prosecution Data Collection System, the number of prosecutors who have received trainings on the Prosecution Data Collection System, and the average caseload number for the current fiscal year versus prior fiscal year.
The Team
Lisa Catalanotto – Executive Director, SCCPC
Andrea Sancho-Baker – Director of Business Services & Communications, SCCPC
Tina Thompson – Finance Manager, SCCPC
Charlie Brown – Database Administrator
The Problem
East Baton Rouge’s violent crime rate is well above the national average. As much as 70 to 80 percent of shooting events go unreported to law enforcement due to a lack of witness and victim participation. Non-fatal shooting cases far outnumber fatal shootings but lack the investigative attention necessary for successful prosecution.
The Solution
The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office (EBRDA) aims to enhance its Crime Strategies Unit (CSU) and Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) by hiring a dedicated prosecutor and a specialized criminal intelligence analyst to focus exclusively on non-fatal shooting incidents. These team members are working with federal, state and local authorities to create a non-fatal shooting working group to expand and enhance the necessary collaborations essential to increasing public safety. The EBRDA is improving access to the EBRDA’s Victim Assistant Coordinators in an effort to assist in prosecuting cases which often lack essential victim and/or witness participation. These Victim Assistant Coordinators will also play a vital role in public safety enhancements by providing necessary resources to victims, in hopes of reducing the perpetuation of violence and victimization. The IPS team is also coordinating with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) to identify serial shooters and significant shooting events. Through these partnerships and the use of technologies such as ShotSpotter, more non-fatal shootings can be reported and prosecuted.
The Evaluation
The newly hired prosecutor is responsible for all data collection, including the number of gunshot detection system alerts, the number of 911 calls reporting a shooting, the number of cases referred for investigation, the number of suspects identified, the number of cases cleared by arrest, and the number of defendants prosecuted. With this data, the site will be able to track and monitor the progression of non-fatal shooting cases and monitor the project’s collective and individual impact on public safety.
The Team
Jon Daily, CPA — Deputy Finance Director, Special Assistant, Grants Manager, and Co-Project Director, EBRDA
Steve Danielson — Assistant District Attorney, Section Chief of the Crime Strategies Unit, and Co-Project Director, EBRDA
Paul Pugliese — Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Louisiana
Stephen Martinez — Investigator, Crime Strategies Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, U.S. Secret Service/Southwest Louisiana Electronic & Financial Crimes Task Force, EBRDA
Jim Steele — Investigator, Crime Gun Intelligence Center NIBIN Coordinator, Crime Strategies Unit, EBRDA
The Problem
Violent crime rates in the Bronx are significantly higher than those in other New York City counties. In 2019, over 26% of the city’s homicides, 28% of its shootings, and 24% of gun arrests occurred in the Bronx — yet the borough makes up only 17% of NYC’s population. The borough also faces high poverty rates. The violence is attributable, in part, to gangs and groups.
The Solution
Through IPS, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) is implementing several evidence-based strategies to reduce crime and victimization. This includes hot spot policing to more effectively identify serious offenders and social network analysis to find associations among and between them. The IPS team is using its Crime Strategies Bureau (CSB) as the project’s hub to analyze crime intelligence and other data to target specific locations for appropriate prevention, engagement, intervention, and mitigation measures. Based on this analysis, the DA’s Office will develop protocols to determine suitable and effective prosecution strategies, from enhanced prosecution to restorative justice or other alternatives to incarceration.
In order to implement these programs, the Bronx team and its research partner, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc., is testing a Precision Prosecution Model, pairing a crime prevention coordinator with CSB analysts and attorneys, New York Police Department (NYPD) neighborhood coordination officers, and field intelligence officers to identify and intervene with the most violent individuals in each targeted area.
The Evaluation
Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. will examine crime rates, violent offender behaviors, and the effects of hot spot policing and the CSB to determine the impact of the Precision Prosecution Model on violent crime.
The Team
Kerry Chicon — Division Chief, Strategic Enforcement and Intergovernmental Relations, Bronx DA’s Office
Christine Connor — Research and Program Manager, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc.
Carmen Facciolo — Deputy Division Chief, Strategic Enforcement & Intergovernmental Relations, Bronx DA’s Office
Vladimir Kocheulov — Chief, CSB, Bronx DA’s Office
David Olson — Deputy Director, Planning & Analysis Unit, Bronx DA’s Office
Dr. Shellie Solomon, Ph.D. — CEO, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc.
Dr. Craig Uchida, Ph.D. — President, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc.
The Problem
Cook County, home to Chicago, has experienced a troubling rise in shootings and homicides since 2016.
The Solution
Through IPS, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) aimed to curb crime by identifying and prosecuting individuals who are most likely to engage in gun-related offenses in six of Chicago’s most violent police precincts. The IPS team is bringing more impactful vertical case prosecutions by using data and human intelligence to identify individuals predisposed to commit future violent crimes. The SAO assembled a multidisciplinary Gun Crime Strategies Unit (GCSU) and created an early alert system to enable prosecutors to receive timely arrest notifications regarding repeat violent offenders. The IPS team also regularly investigates, preserves, and moves to admit social media evidence to help paint a full picture of the defendants’ crimes.
The Evaluation
Researchers from the University of Chicago Crime Lab are measuring the initiative’s impact by comparing outcomes of cases identified through the GCSU against those processed through more traditional mediums in the criminal justice system.
The Team
Ashna Arora, Ph.D — Research Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Anthony Berglund — Senior Research Manager, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Shawn Condon — Grant Monitor, Cook County SAO
Ethan Holland — Assistant State’s Attorney and Supervisor, GCSU, Cook County SAO
Zach Honoroff — Associate Director of Violence Reduction Services, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Nicole Kramer — Director of Programs and Development Unit, Cook County SAO
Maureen McCurry — Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County SAO
Patricia Pantoja — Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County SAO
Marny Zimmer — Assistant State’s Attorney and Director of Policy, Cook County SAO
The Problem
Cook County is plagued by pervasive violence instigated by Chicago street gangs and the drug trade.
The Solution
While most criminal justice efforts to combat the problem have focused directly on gun or drug crime, this project aims to improve the prosecution of violent crime drivers by disrupting their illegal access to money. The Cook County State Attorney's Office (SAO) has hired a dedicated Financial and Cybercrimes Prosecutor, who will coordinate law enforcement efforts to target enterprises that commit or support violent crimes. This prosecutor is creating protocols and checklists to aid in-house investigations of financial crimes and, because most of these offenses are cyber or digital in nature, developing mechanisms to effectively preserve, maintain, and present digital evidence. The prosecutor is also working closely with other units in the SAO, including the Gun Crimes Strategy Unit, to gather intelligence and identify targets; the Complex Narcotics Prosecutions Unit to prosecute connected drug crimes; and the Community Justice Centers to increase community engagement and education.
The Evaluation
Cook County's research partner, the University of Chicago Crime Lab, will integrate internal and external SAO data to form a comprehensive database, and will track cases handled by the specialized Financial and Cybercrimes Prosecutor and other units to evaluate impacts on case outcomes.
The Team
Ashna Arora, Ph.D. — Research Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Anthony Berglund — Senior Research Manager, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Shawn Condon — Grant Monitor, Cook County SAO
Zach Honoroff — Associate Director of Violence Reduction Services, University of Chicago Crime Lab
Paul Kiefer — Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County SAO
David Williams — Assistant State’s Attorney and Special Prosecutions Bureau Supervisor, Cook County SAO
The Problem
In 2017, the Major Cities Chiefs Association named Cleveland as the fifth deadliest city in America. A more recent study in 2019 found it to have the highest number of robberies in Ohio and the second highest in the nation.
The Solution
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO), which handles felony cases for approximately 60 police municipalities, including Cleveland, is enhancing the capacity of its Crime Strategies Unit. Instead of looking solely at criminal history, CCPO is developing and implementing a ranking/standardized set of criteria to prioritize the County’s most violent offenders for investigation and prosecution. This is being done in collaboration with their research partner, the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at Case Western Reserve University. In addition, CCPO is enhancing collaboration with other local law enforcement agencies by heading and disseminating key information to a local task force. The IPS team is also developing practitioner toolkits and trainings relevant to the investigation and prosecution of habitual offenders.
The Evaluation
The Begun Center will assess the impact of CCPO’s enhanced CSU on investigative and prosecutorial outcomes – specifically, whether the team’s strategies increase arrests, prosecutions, and convictions for the most serious violent crimes.
The Team
Katelyn Frandanisa — Intake/Research Specialist, CCPO
Kyle Hagen — Crime Analyst, CCPO
Rachel Lovell, Ph.D. — Research Assistant Professor, Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education
Cathy McFadden — Fiscal/Grants Coordinator, CCPO
Todd Staimpel — Investigator, CCPO
Eleina Thomas — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Crime Strategies Unit Supervisor, CCPO
The Problem
Cuyahoga County is home to Cleveland, which has a violent crime rate nearly four times the national average. Because violent crime crosses municipal boundaries in the county, data-sharing about violent offenders among law enforcement agencies and prosecutors is critical.
The Solution
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office’s (CCPO) Crime Strategies Unit (CSU) is also an FY19 Innovative Prosecutions Solutions (FY19 IPS) grant recipient. The CCPO will invest in technology and improved analytical software to enhance the capabilities of the CSU to focus resources on repeat violent offenders and high crime areas. The CSU will hire a Reporting Analyst to design a CSU case management system, a social network analysis application, and dashboards that contain background information on violent offenders. The analyst will also develop a database to merge isolated data sets and create a prioritization system for repeat offenders.
The Evaluation
CCPO’s research partner is Case Western Reserve University. The researchers will complete a process evaluation, an outcome evaluation, and will assist with enhanced data collection, database development, data analysis, and dissemination activities.
The Team
Ryan Bokoch — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and CSU Supervisor, CCPO
Reem Almukdad — Intake/Research Specialist, CCPO
Rachel Lovell — Assistant Professor of Criminology, Cleveland State University
Joanna Klingenstein — Research Associate, Case Western Reserve University
Cathy McFadden — Fiscal/Grants Coordinator, CCPO
Todd Staimpel — Investigator, CCPO
The Problem
Denver has experienced an uptick in violent crime over the past few years, in large part due to an increase in gang-related activity in the city. Witnesses are often unable or reluctant to collaborate with police, resulting in many unsolved cases.
The Solution
Through its IPS grant, the Denver District Attorney’s Office is creating a Digital Evidence Task Force, which uses cutting-edge technologies to extract cell phone data on-scene that can provide key evidence for investigating and prosecuting violent crime. The Task Force also serves as a hub for resource-sharing and aims to enhance communication between local law enforcement agencies. The Task Force partners closely with VTO Labs, a private company specializing in digital forensics, data recovery, and hardware exploitation. Equipped with on-site investigative technologies and high-capacity work stations, the IPS team is able to secure timely access to cell phone data and analyze digital evidence to develop links between people, phone numbers, locations, and other information necessary to prosecute the gang members driving Denver’s violent crime.
The Evaluation
Dr. Anne DePrince from the University of Denver will document and evaluate the development and effectiveness of the Task Force, as well as prosecution outcomes, through analysis of administrative and case-related data, observation of Task Force meetings, and key informant interviews.
The Team
Adam Bechthold — Investigator, Denver DA’s Office
Jason Brown — Digital Forensics Analyst, VTO Labs
Anne DePrince, Ph.D. — Psychology Professor, University of Denver
Tim Garner — Chief Investigator, Denver DA’s Office
Chris Gray — Crime Analyst, Denver DA’s Office
Katherine Hansen — IPS Program Director and Deputy DA, Denver DA’s Office
Julie Madden — Director of Strategic Initiatives, Denver DA’s Office
Steve Watson — Chief Executive Officer, VTO Labs
The Problem
Detroit’s 9th precinct has historically experienced the highest level of violent crime in the city.
The Solution
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (WCPO) aims to reduce violence by establishing a dedicated team to respond to all nonfatal shootings (NFS) in the 9th precinct. The team is responsible for the case from the initial incident through final judicial resolution, and makes determinations regarding whether to serve witnesses with subpoenas on-scene — which increases the likelihood they will show up to court. The team also utilizes a one-person grand jury, composed of a circuit judge who has broad powers to investigate criminal activity. The statutorily-created one-person grand jury process negates the need for an investigative subpoena, complaint, warrant, and preliminary examination. Through this streamlined process, the IPS team aims to speed up investigations and reduce opportunities for offenders and their allies to intimidate victims and witnesses.
The Evaluation
Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) are examining the impact of the dedicated NFS team and the one-person grand jury on nonfatal shootings, homicides, and general violence crime rates within the 9th precinct, as well as the impact on arrest and case closure rates.
The Team
Anna Bickerstaff — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
John Casey— Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Emily Corwin — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Eric Decker — Commander, Detroit Police Department (DPD)
Julie Krupa — Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
David LeValley — Deputy Chief, DPD
Juli Liebler, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
Edmund McGarrell, Ph.D — Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
Kim Miles — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Rob Moran — Chief of Special Investigations, WCPO
Patrick Muscat — Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Special Prosecutions Division, WCPO
Ariel Roddy — Doctoral Student in Criminal Justice, MSU
Trisha Stein — Director of Administrative Operations, DPD
Mark Thornton — Captain, DPD
Kam Towns - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Community Prosecution Unit, WCPO
The Problem
St. Louis County is the largest geographic county in Minnesota. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office (SLCAO) currently relies upon an outdated case management system that inhibits prosecutors from efficiently prosecuting violent crimes.
The Solution
Through IPS funding, the SLCAO will replace its current case management system with Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK). With the investment in PBK, the site will collect data to develop statistically-supported prosecution strategies and policies that will be designed to combat specific criminal trends at a community level. Using technology, intelligence, and data enables the site to focus resources in areas with a high concentration of crime. The site is also creating a more standardized partnership between prosecutors and law enforcement to share documents and digital evidence. With a more efficient process for gathering information and building cases, prosecutors will also be able to reduce their caseloads to manageable levels.
The Evaluation
The site will use PBK’s report features to collect and analyze data. In addition, the site will monitor work efficiencies through the additional data collected via referral interfaces (photos, video, and audio), which was not previously available when using their previous case management system. System notification of the work flow will keep users updated on current case information. The IPS team will also create a list of policies and strategies adopted by the SLCAO in order to combat criminal trends identified by the data collected.
The Team
Wade Backstrom – Office Administrator, SLCAO
Richard Grow – Project Manager, Information and Technology Division, SLCAO
Alaina Denny – Legal Secretary Supervisor, SLCAO Virginia, MN
Yvonne Kalin – Legal Secretary Supervisor, SLCAO Duluth, MN
Diana Lundberg – Legal Secretary Supervisor, SLCAO Duluth, MN
Marla Padgett – Legal Secretary Supervisor, SLCAO Hibbing, MN
The Problem
Flint is consistently named among the most violent cities in America. The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO) created a Crime Strategies Unit (CSU), staffed by prosecution staff, local law enforcement, and welfare agencies, which has gathered street-level intelligence to identify local crime drivers. But the team faces continued challenges in transmitting critical real-time data to patrol officers on duty.
The Solution
To enhance information-sharing and law enforcement safety, the IPS team is investing in NC4 Street Smart technology, which produces crime bulletins to alert officers to issues in the field and allows up-to-date information to be transmitted instantaneously. The prosecutor’s office is also hiring a legal assistant to update the CSU database, develop crime maps and an arrest alert system, and ensure regular communication between CSU personnel and street-level law enforcement officers.
The Evaluation
The office will assess the effectiveness of Street Smart — examining, among other things, how often the technology is utilized, how many times it led to a prosecution, and how it may have changed prosecutorial outcomes.
The Team
Amber Allen — Project Manager, NC4 Street Smart
LeAnne Dao — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, GCPO
Karen Hanson — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, GCPO
Kevin Moore — Regional Sales Director, NC4 Street Smart
Melissa Williams — Legal Assistant, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, GCPO
The Problem
Hawaii County, which consists of the entirety of Hawaii’s Big Island, has experienced an upward trend in violent crime over the last decade. The County’s Office of the Prosecuting Attorney (OPA) has identified two major contributors: the prevalence of witness intimidation and the lack of a repeat violent offender management program.
The Solution
OPA is instituting a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) — a formal collaborative task force of criminal justice organizations and intensified support service providers. This group will develop victim protection threat assessments to determine the danger of a given offender and assist both victims and offenders with wraparound services. To enhance the effectiveness of its new Repeat Violent Offender Management Program, OPA and law enforcement partners will develop key criteria for selecting participants, institute a needs assessment to connect offenders and victims with necessary services, proactively monitor those selected, and update their progress in a multiagency tracking database. The IPS team will include a crime analyst to lead data collection and analysis.
The Evaluation
OPA will work with a researcher to assess any changes in violent crime and recidivism, as well as the effects of the CCR on investigations and prosecutions.
The Team
Dale Ross — First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, OPA
Kelden Waltjen — Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, OPA
The Problem
Known as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is one of the busiest convention cities in the nation. Given the easy influx of firearms and narcotics in and out of the region, it is also a hotbed for drug trafficking and related gun crimes.
The Solution
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) is using IPS funds to build prosecutorial intelligence around gun crimes and identify the area’s violent crime drivers. The office hired a dedicated National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) prosecutor, who investigates all NIBIN-linked crimes through social networking analysis, electronic records search warrants, community corrections GPS data, and jail telephone calls. Filtering all NIBIN cases through a single prosecutor helps to centralize the intelligence crucial to identifying the individuals behind the guns.
The Evaluation
Dr. Brad Ray and Emily Sightes from Wayne State University (WSU) are evaluating the impact of the specialized NIBIN prosecutor on gun crimes.
TEAM MEMBERS
Robert Beatson — Director of Strategic Prosecution Unit, MCPO
Marianne Black — Grants Manager, MCPO
Catherine Parker — Grants Manager, MCPO
Brad Ray, Ph.D — Director, Center of Behavioral Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, WSU
Emily Sightes — Research Project Coordinator, Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, WSU
Brent Wilson — Assistant Prosecutor and NIBIN Prosecutor, MCPO
The Problem
Jacksonville has experienced a high level of violent crime in recent years, often attributable to a small group of young adults and gang affiliates.
The Solution
The Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office (SAO) is using a multifaceted approach to combat violence. First, it is strengthening its Targeted Prosecution Unit to promote evidence-based prosecution and develop a strategic plan to address gang violence through prevention, intervention, and correction. Veteran prosecutors are working closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's Gang Unit to build investigations of high-risk arrestees and defendants, develop more centralized criminal intelligence about group-based criminal enterprises, and create an arrest alert system to ensure that defendants identified as high-risk offenders are prosecuted in a timely manner. The SAO is also implement a robust community engagement plan, deploying community prosecutors to high-crime areas to strengthen relationships with law enforcement and community members.
Underlying both of these strategies is an emphasis on building data collection and analytical capacity. In partnership with researchers at Florida International University (FIU), the SAO is developing performance indicators that foster crime prevention and effective prosecution. It is also enhancing reporting mechanisms to enable better internal and external communication; train attorneys to utilize data to make informed, evidence-based prosecutorial decisions; and turn its current case tracking system into an analytic tool to assist in its targeted prosecution and community engagement efforts.
The Evaluation
FIU researchers will assess how violent crime rates change over time and how project strategies have impacted case dispositions. They will also assess the SAO’s implementation of the Targeted Prosecution Unit and community engagement strategies.
The Team
Kristen Benedini, Ph.D. — Data Analyst/Evaluation Specialist, SAO
Nike Campbell-Fatoki — Fiscal Director, SAO
Besiki Kutateladze, Ph.D. — Associate Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, FIU
Linzee Ott – Community Engagement Liaison, SAO
Rebecca Richardson, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, FIU
Stephen Siegel — First Assistant State Attorney and IPS Project Director, SAO
Lisa Williams — Grants Manager, SAO
The Problem
Despite declining crime rates nationwide, Kansas City and Jackson County continue to be plagued by high levels of violent crimes, particularly gun violence.
The Solution
Historically, the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (JCPAO) prosecuted cases horizontally, assigning prosecutors specific functions or steps in a case instead of giving them responsibility for the entire process from referral to final disposition. JCPAO used the IPS project to institute a geographic-based, vertical prosecution system for violent offenses occurring in crime hotspots and to evaluate the effects of prosecutorial continuity on case efficiency. JCPAO also undertook substantive crime reduction strategies and community outreach, including enhanced victim assistance, support for grassroots organizations in hotspots, and a partnership with the Center for Conflict Resolution, which trained a Neighborhood Accountability Board to resolve a limited number of felony cases using restorative justice practices.
The Evaluation
Researchers at California State University (Cal State) at Fresno conducted data analysis to assess the impact of geographic-based vertical prosecution on case processing and dispositions. They also examined the results of enhanced victim assistance and the restorative justice program.
The Team
Kate Brubacher — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, JCPAO
Andrew Fox, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Cal State at Fresno
Chadley James, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Criminology, Cal State at Fresno
Michael Mansur — Director of Communications, JCPAO
The Problem
Violent crimes, such as homicides and non-fatal shootings, continue to increase in Kansas City. Violence in the city is localized: a few small neighborhoods contain a large percentage of violence. Community trust and victim/witness participation in case investigations and prosecutions are major challenges for Kansas City law enforcement.
The Solution
The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (JCPAO) is using Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) grant funding to build a Crime Strategies Unit (CSU), which will collect, organize and disseminate critical crime data to police, prosecutors, City Hall, and the community. The Office’s mission is to gain a better understanding of who and what is driving crime, as well as identify offenders eligible for diversion or other alternatives to traditional prosecution. This goal will be pursued using two strategies: 1) improving data tracking and analysis of crime information, both historical and to the present-day; and 2) fostering trust and legitimacy with neighborhoods experiencing high violence rates through outreach and diversion partnerships. The CSU will consist of two prosecutors and two crime analysts, who will analyze crime data, identify key drivers of crime, and prioritize the investigations and prosecutions of those individuals. Offenses that occur in crime hotspots will be prosecuted vertically by geographically-based prosecutors. The site is also investing in technology, including Thompson Reuter’s CLEAR, Photoshop, Leads Online, and Snagit. As part of the project, JCPAO will contract with the Center for Conflict Resolution for its work in the Blue Hills neighborhood.
The Evaluation
The CSU’s two crime analysts are collecting and organizing data by flagging top offenders, inputting intelligence, and tracking prosecution outcomes. The main source for data is JCPAO’s case management system, Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK). JCPAO will also evaluate its geographic-based, vertical prosecution system to determine whether prosecutorial continuity affects case outcomes and efficiency.
The Team
Jean Peters Baker – Jackson County Prosecutor, JCPAO
Kate Brubacher Murphy – Assistant County Prosecutor, Grant Program Director, JCPAO
Henry Chapman – Data Analyst, JCPAO
Michael Mansur – Director of Communication, JCPAO
The Problem
Long Beach faces increasing levels of violent crime and chronic recidivism.
The Solution
The Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office (LBPO) is partnering with Long Beach-based tech company Laserfiche to develop a tool that will empower law enforcement to make more informed decisions when encountering individuals on patrol. Known as the Government User Integrated Diversion Enhancement System (GUIDES), the app will allow patrol officers to access critical information (e.g., stay away court orders, membership in a court-ordered diversion program) on their government-issued cell phones, as well as resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or substance use disorders. The app will enable real-time data-sharing among city departments and help police act more efficiently on information by enforcing stay away orders or providing social services to individuals they encounter instead of arresting them.
The Evaluation
Researchers at California State University (Cal State) at Long Beach will assess how GUIDES facilitates police work through the use of surveys, observations during ride-alongs, focus groups, and app usage data.
The Team
Byron Bolton — Legal Technologist, LBPO
Douglas Haubert — City Prosecutor, LBPO
Dina Perrone, Ph.D. — Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Cal State at Long Beach
Christine Scott-Hayward, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Law, Criminology, and Criminal Justice, Cal State at Long Beach
Sherri Seldon — Chief of Staff, LBPO
The Problem
Juvenile homicides, shootings, and violent crime have increased dramatically in the Miami area since 2014.
The Solution
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office (SAO) focused on reducing youth- and gang-related violent crimes by embedding a multidisciplinary IPS team in the Miami-Dade Police Department's Northside District station. This IPS team — consisting of a community outreach specialist, victim/witness specialist and several prosecutors and investigators — utilized data from law enforcement agencies and geographic information systems to pinpoint hot spot crime areas and identify chronic gang offenders. These partners also engaged with the community to break the pervasive “anti-snitch” mentality and deployed the community outreach representative to improve trust and cooperation in crime-affected neighborhoods.
The Evaluation
Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. is assessing how hot spot and crime driver data affects prosecutorial decision-making, as well as the impact of the coordinated multiagency response on case dispositions.
The Team
Nilo Cuervo — Assistant State’s Attorney, SAO
Sharon Savoldy — Fiscal Director, SAO
Shellie Solomon, Ph.D. — Chief Executive Officer, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc.
Craig Uchida, Ph.D. — President, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc.
The Problem
The Village of Hempstead in Nassau County has experienced an increase in crime and gang activity in recent years.
The Solution
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office (NCDA) is leading the implementation of a zone-focused prosecution model, staffed by prosecutors, Crime Scene Unit (CSU) analysts, detective-investigators, and community partners. The team meets biweekly to share and review new intelligence, modify existing crime prevention strategies and create new ones, and organize the County's law enforcement response and collaboration with local outreach programs. CSU analysts will synthesize all arrest data in the region to help build a list of local chronic offenders and triage the criminal justice response to violent offenses.
The Evaluation
The IPS team will select a research partner to evaluate the program, ensure the use of best practices, and help prepare written procedures detailing the methods employed through the zone-focused prosecution model.
TEAM MEMBERS
Bob McManus — Director of Office Services, NCDA
Joseph Mogelnicki — CSU Chief and Assistant District Attorney, NCDA
Joyce Smith — Executive Assistant District Attorney for Community Relations, NCDA
Jeffrey Stein — Chief Administrative Officer, NCDA
The Problem
With its proximity to a major thoroughfare in New Jersey, Essex County — and especially Newark — experiences a high level of illicit drug and gang activity.
The Solution
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO) recognized the need to utilize social media evidence to successfully prosecute violent crime. Social media is a platform where gang members often organize, perpetrate, and recount their crimes — it can be used to help identify victims, offenders, and witnesses; reveal a social network of criminal offenders; provide essential proof of a crime; and capture other information that may be admissible as evidence. ECPO developed a Special Prosecution Unit, which mines social media content to help identify and prosecute violent criminal offenders.
The Evaluation
Researchers from the Center on Policing at Rutgers University compared cases in the intervention group — which was systematically examined for social media evidence — with a set of control cases to assess whether utilizing social media investigations improved case dispositions.
The Team
Joe Giordano — Former Supervising Assistant Prosecutor, Special Prosecutions Unit, ECPO
Rosalyn Bocker Parks, Ph.D. — Research Project Manager, Center on Policing, Rutgers University
The Problem
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) in New Orleans, LA has an outdated case management system, which impacts its ability to efficiently and effectively pursue justice in criminal cases. While local law enforcement has been able to implement modern technology to more effectively target violent crime, the OPDA has fallen far behind.
The Solution
With the IPS grant, OPDA is investing in data integration technology and is digitizing its case database by partnering with Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK). OPDA is using PBK to create a repository of criminal intelligence that will demonstrate possible relations between offenders, witnesses, and crimes. A new data analyst will implement geo-mapping to tag and identify violent crimes persons of interest. OPDA is also partnering with AH Datatlytics to conduct a gap analysis in order to identify inefficiencies inherent within the old system and best practices to maximize the potential of the new system. The lead Assistant District Attorney will act as liaison with external law enforcement agencies site to train current prosecutors and other personnel to track down witnesses, survivors, and violent offenders by using PBK. With enhanced criminal intelligence and technology, the OPDA will make more informed charging and prosecution decisions.
The Evaluation
OPDA is utilizing PBK’s report-generating capabilities to track all aspects of prosecution and project implementation. Specifically, the office’s crime analyst is analyzing the time it takes to screen a case from arrest to the filing of criminal charges to ensure police reports and documents for filing charges are received on a consistent timeline.
The Team
Jeff Asher — Co-founder, AH Datalytics
Andre Gaudin — Assistant District Attorney & Project Lead, OPDA
Ben Horwitz — Co-founder, AH Datalytics
Jene O’Keefe Trigg — Director of Partnerships & Development, OPDA
Michael Pyle — Crime Analyst, OPDA
The Problem
Maricopa County, and especially Phoenix, has suffered from extraordinarily high levels of gun violence for many years.
The Solution
In 2018, Phoenix partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to build a Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), which uses data from the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) to make connections between seemingly unrelated gun crimes. The success of NIBIN sharply increased the number of complex multi-defendant, multi-incident, and multiagency cases submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO). In light of this increased caseload, MCAO has hired new prosecutors and is using IPS funds to hire additional legal and analytical staff to support prosecution of these crimes.
The Evaluation
The County will partner with researchers from the Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, who will analyze crime statistics involving gun incidents to assess the impact of law enforcement and prosecution efforts. This analysis will help the MCAO create data-driven prosecution priorities and trainings, while enabling law enforcement to more effectively deploy resources within each precinct.
The Team
Antonio Canisales — Grant/Contract Administrator, MCAO
Charles Katz, Ph.D. — Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Director of the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, ASU
Addison Owen — Deputy County Attorney and Special Crimes and CGIC (CGIC) Coordinator, MCAO
Emmanuel Yanquaye — Crime Data Quality Analyst, MCAO
The Problem
Brockton, a city located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, has historically experienced high levels of violent crime and firearm activity.
The Solution
In recent years, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) has reinstituted its Safe Streets Initiative — a coordinated effort to reduce gun violence through trauma-focused prevention, enforcement, and re-entry — and has seen significant reductions in firearm-related violence. Through IPS, they are building upon that initiative. The DA's Office has assigned a prosecutor to oversee probation violation hearings, and is undergoing a Planning Phase to expand its current Ceasefire Model to include youth at risk of becoming high-priority firearms offenders. A newly-hired Ceasefire Coordinator supports collaboration with law enforcement agencies and analyzes offender data. The DA’s Office is marrying these targeted prosecution and diversion efforts with a robust community outreach plan focused on enhancing the current Safe Streets community coalition and educating Brockton residents on its efforts to deter gun violence, as well as the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on juvenile crime.
The Evaluation
Kelley Research Associates will analyze juvenile arraignments from 2017 to 2019 to assess the juvenile population’s connection to firearm-related offenses. The Ceasefire Coordinator will analyze firearms violence rates and persons-shot data.
The Team
Edward Jacoubs — Director of Grants and Sponsored Projects, PDAO
Joseph Janezic — Assistant District Attorney and Chief of the Gang Unit, PDAO
Pam Kelley — Executive Director, Kelley Research Associates
Talya Klein — Ceasefire Model Coordinator, PDAO
Patrick Nevins — Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Director of Grants and Sponsored Projects, PDAO
Mary Simonson — Fiscal and Grant Specialist, PDAO
The Problem
Prosecution of firearms-related cases in Plymouth County, MA are backlogged for a variety of reasons, including the lack of a dedicated prosecutor and court closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Solution
With Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) grant funding, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office (PCDA) is hiring a new District Court prosecutor to vertically prosecute all firearms-related cases and an administrative assistant to enhance the site’s capacity to swiftly hold firearm offenders accountable. The new prosecutor and administrative assistant will be assigned a new office laptop with VPN access to allow them to work outside normal office hours, as well as at home when COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Further, the PCDA is using its existing Safe Streets coalition to inform the community on its efforts to more efficiently prosecute gun violence. The site’s overall goal is to increase the credibility and transparency of the District Attorney’s existing Ceasefire initiative and promote increased trust between the community and law enforcement by holding firearms offenders accountable.
The Evaluation
The District Attorney’s Ceasefire Coordinator is working with the administrative assistant to collect all relevant data points and performance measures related to decreasing the backlog of firearms-related cases in District Court and decreasing the timeline between arraignment and disposition. Baseline data will be collected regarding the number of cases with outstanding discovery obligations and the number of backlogged firearms-related cases.
The Team
Joseph Janezic – Assistant District Attorney, Gang Unit Chief, PCDA
Talya Klein – Ceasefire Coordinator, PCDA
Patrick Nevins – Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Director of the Grants & Sponsored Projects, PCDA
Mary Simonson – Fiscal and Grant Specialist, PCDA
The Problem
Violent crime persists at higher levels in the Providence-Central Falls-Pawtucket area. Law enforcement agencies expend significant resources investigating violent crime and gathering large amounts of data, but much of this data is not analyzed or coordinated at a centralized level. This makes it difficult to quickly link incidents, weapons, and suspects across multiple jurisdictions.
The Solution
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office (RIAG) is creating a statewide, prosecutor-led data initiative to refocus law enforcement resources on individuals and groups driving gun violence across jurisdictions. Specifically, the RIAG will gather data from and promote information-sharing between partner law enforcement agencies, utilize a data analysis platform and analyst to identify crime trends and actionable intelligence, and then use this intelligence to prioritize investigations and prosecutions. The RIAG also will deploy a violent offender alert system to assist with active investigations into individual drivers of violent crime. Finally, the RIAG will tap into and expand the role of its community outreach unit to coordinate with leaders in neighborhoods that are disproportionately affected by violent crime.
The Evaluation
RIAG’s Policy Unit, which is part of the Office’s Executive Staff, is overseeing data collection to track the site’s performance. The newly hired Intelligence Analyst is responsible for analyzing crime data, constructing crime reports, and providing intelligence in the form of statistics and mapping.
The Team
Kate Sabatini — Chief of Policy, RIAG
Dan Sutton — Deputy Chief of Policy, RIAG
Kerri Baker — Chief Financial Officer, RIAG
James Baum— Deputy Chief, Criminal Division, RIAG
Steve Dambruch —Chief, Criminal Division, RIAG
Ed Troiano— Chief of Identification and Investigation Bureau, RIAG
Joseph McBurney — Chief, Narcotics and Violent Crime Unit, RIAG
Ed Mullaney— Assistant Attorney General, Narcotics and Violent Crime Unit, RIAG
The Problem
Intimidation of victims and witnesses of violent crime accounts for a significant portion of failed prosecutions in St. Louis.
The Solution
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) is launching a multidisciplinary effort to combat intimidation and keep witnesses safe. The initiative will include a dedicated attorney with expertise in legal and practical issues pertaining to witness intimidation and protection; an advocate to support victims/witnesses and assess those at greatest risk of danger; and an investigator to collect key evidence and coordinate witness protection measures. The CAO will also coordinate with the judiciary and other key court personnel to enhance courthouse and courtroom safety. The designated project attorney will train IPS personnel to conduct risk assessments, protect witnesses, and put in place reliable communication channels to ensure continued witness contact. The IPS team will also host a roundtable, inviting local community leaders, advocacy groups, elected officials, social service agencies, schools, hospitals, police, corrections officers, and other partners to discuss collaborative strategies for preventing and responding to intimidation.
The Evaluation
Beth Huebner, a researcher from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), will examine a variety of metrics — including case closures, dismissal rates, and case dispositions — to determine the impact of the project on violent crime prosecutions.
The Team
Krista Boston — Chief Homicide Prosecutor, Leader for the Violent Crimes and Crime Strategies Units, St. Louis CAO
Maurice Foxworth — Advisor, St. Louis CAO
Beth Huebner, Ph.D. — Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, UMSL
The Problem
Despite the ability of Yolo County’s law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, they lack the capacity to share knowledge and crime trends on the regional level.
The Solution
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office (YCDA) is serving as a data hub to enhance the county’s ability to analyze national and regional crime trends and coordinate information-sharing between agencies. The IPS team is broadening the scope of its existing narcotics task force to gather and analyze intelligence on all violent crime, with a focus on career criminals, criminal organizations, and crime drivers. The team is also working with designated law enforcement personnel to develop best practices for conducting serious investigations. The purpose of doing so is to achieve optimal and positive measurable results in the community.
All intelligence is coordinated by an IPS Crime Analyst and centralized through the creation of a robust, integrated data-sharing system that will draw from data regionwide and analyze criminal networks and patterns. This data will inform the development of a cutting-edge map-based data program that can help inform focus areas for crime prevention. Dedicated Deputy District Attorneys will work on cases identified through this process in order to successfully prosecute complex criminal cases. They will also take a leading role in investigating the offenders and organizations contributing to serious violent crime. In addition, they will identify individuals whose criminality is fueled by mental health and/or substance abuse issues in order to divert them into collaborative courts and treatment programs.
The Evaluation
A local university researcher will assess the performance and impact of IPS project strategies.
The Team
Nikki Abaurrea – Chief Fiscal Administrative Officer, YCDA
Kevin Clark – Senior Administrative Services Analyst, YCDA
Matt De Moura – Deputy District Attorney, YCDA
Will Ferrier – Innovation and Technology Manager, YCDA
Jonathan Raven - Chief Deputy District Attorney, YCDA
The Problem
York County is an area in South Central Pennsylvania with just under half a million people. The largest city, York, has experienced violent crime at a rate more than twice the national average per capita for four consecutive years.
The Solution
In 2016, the York City Police Department (YCPD) initiated a Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program in conjunction with the York County District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) and other partners. Through IPS, the DA’s Office hired a specialized GVI prosecutor who is assessing GVI offenders for either diversion or traditional prosecution. If the GVI prosecutor determines that an offender is eligible for pre-charge diversion, the County’s Human Services Family Engagement Unit works with that offender to pursue alternatives to prosecution, including participation in Family Group Decision Making meetings. For candidates not suitable for diversion, the GVI prosecutor works in close coordination with an in-house Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) to enhance traditional prosecution.
The Evaluation
Researchers from York College of Pennsylvania will evaluate the project to discern which interventions are effective in preventing future violent behavior and identify gaps in services necessary to mitigate risk factors of violence.
The Team
Dan Aikey — Captain, YCPD
Timothy Barker — First Assistant District Attorney, DA’s Office
Michelle Baughman — First Deputy Administrator, DA’s Office
John Hamme — Chief Deputy Prosecutor, DA’s Office
Matthew Irvin — Sergeant, YCPD
Kyle King — Chief Administrator, DA’s Office
Peter Leasure, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, York College of Pennsylvania
Matthew Leitzel — Captain, YCPD
Stephanie Lombardo — Senior Deputy Prosecutor/GVI Prosecutor, DA’s Office
Lewis Reagan — Senior Deputy Prosecutor/SAUSA, DA’s Office
Natasha Rohrbaugh — Second Deputy Controller, York County Controller’s Office
Amie Scheidegger, Ph.D. — Chair and Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice Program, York College of Pennsylvania
Dave Sunday — District Attorney, DA’s Office
Bryell Turner — Program Manager, York County Human Services Family Engagement Unit
Philip Verrecchia, Ph.D. — Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, York College of Pennsylvania
Kirsten Witherup, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, York College of Pennsylvania
The Problem
Sexual violence poses unique challenges for Cobb County prosecutors and other professionals in the criminal justice system, resulting in attrition in some cases and delayed justice in others.
The Solution
The site’s IPS team, led by the Cobb County District Attorney's Office and supported by the Cobb County Police Department (PD), the community organization liveSAFE, and researchers at Kennesaw State University (KSU), is analyzing and enhancing the system’s response to sexual violence crimes. The site is building on a multidisciplinary case database, initially developed through Cobb County’s Sexual Assault Justice Initiative grant, to improve data collection and analysis of sexual violence case processing and outcomes. Among other things, the team is examining the complexity of individual sexual violence cases, reasons for victim nonreporting, and factors contributing to case attrition. Based on findings, the DA’s Office will be able to routinely develop, implement, evaluate, and refine approaches to prosecuting sexual violence crimes.
The Evaluation
The DA’s Office is working closely with researchers from KSU to examine what factors have the greatest impact on police/prosecutor decision-making and case dispositions; the level of victim satisfaction with criminal cases; and potential solutions to reduce case attrition and enhance victims’ experiences with the justice system.
The Team
Lynn Crosby — SANE Program Manager, liveSAFE
Paula Dobbs — Outreach Program Manager, liveSAFE
Sgt. M. Gasque — Cobb County PD
Katie Gropper — Assistant District Attorney, Cobb County DA’s Office
Patricia Hull — Sexual Violence Unit Chief, Cobb County DA’s Office
Janet Izaguirre — Sexual Assault Advocate, Cobb County DA’s Office
Lena Joseph, Ph.D. — Chief Deputy Director, Victim Witness Unit, Cobb County DA’s Office
Jennifer McMahon, Ph.D. — Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, KSU
Heidi Scherer, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, KSU
Philip Stoddard — Detective, Cobb County PD
The Problem
Human trafficking is widespread in Georgia and has been linked to gang activity. There is a significant disparity between the number of victims documented by law enforcement versus those documented by victim service organizations, indicating a need for enhanced investigative strategies.
The Solution
The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is using its IPS grant to modernize the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU) at their partner agency, the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. The IPS team is enhancing its investigative and analytical capacity by hiring a Data Analyst, who will implement PLX by PenLink, an innovative investigative technology that compiles and analyzes internet communications, cell site information, pen register data, and a host of other evidence. The Data Analyst will work closely with law enforcement and prosecutors to process human trafficking cases and enhance their capacity through cross-training. Training and support will also come from AEquitas and other national-based organizations and will focus on human trafficking related statutes and case law, roadblocks for prosecution, gang case-specific evidence collection, and witness intimidation. Lastly, the site is improving collaborations with federal, state, and local partners by joining the Georgia Gang Investigator’s Association (GGIA) and by partnering with Operation Not Forgotten.
The Evaluation
The Georgia Statistical Analysis Center (GASAC), a division on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, is responsible for data collection. The GASAC is working with the HTPU to measure current processes and timelines in evidence documentation, including how long it takes analysts to catalogue and enter cellphone and social media data, how many staff hours are dedicated to evidence processing from case referral to trial, and how many cases the HTPU has on hold while they process data for current active cases.
The Team
Amy Hutsell — Program Director, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, and Human Trafficking Unit, CJCC
Samuel Gonzalez, Program Director, Statistical Analysis Center, CJCC
Erica Mortonson — Supervisor, Human Trafficking Unit, CJCC
Hannah Palmquist — Chief, General Human Trafficking Unit, Georgia OAG
Adriane Grey — Data Analyst, Georgia OAG
Alexis Gordon — Data Analyst, Georgia OAG
Michelle Price — Human Trafficking Compliance Officer, CJCC
The Problem
Over the last three years, the number of domestic violence cases in Licking County has doubled—and the number of homicides connected to domestic violence issues has nearly tripled.
The Solution
The Office of the Licking County Prosecuting Attorney (LCPA) is creating a Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) that will focus on vertical prosecution to hold offenders accountable and ensure community safety. The DVU will be comprised of a dedicated team of two experienced prosecutors, a senior prosecutor, a victim advocate, and a paralegal. The DVU is improving LCPA's processes and procedures in responding to domestic violence cases by utilizing modern technology, such as TrialPad and Matterport. The IPS team is also relying on victim surveys to develop better strategies for connecting victims to services. Lastly, the DVU will provide training and resources to law enforcement and prosecutors regarding best practices for investigating and prosecuting domestic violence crimes.
The Evaluation
All members of the DVU are assisting in gathering statistics on the number of cases received by the office, the number of civil protection orders filed, the number of domestic violence cases that plead versus go to trial, and the victim cooperation’s throughout each stage of the legal process in order to evaluate case attrition and reasons for such attrition.
The Team
Jenny Eagle – Victim Advocate, LCPA
Ashley Farmer – Administrative Assistant, LCPA
Jenny Wells – First Assistant Prosecutor, LCPA
Amy Gill – Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, LCPA
Michael Swartz – Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, LCPA
The Problem
Many sexual assault incidents in Loudon County, VA go unreported to law enforcement, medical professionals, and other service providers, highlighting the need for improved programming and outreach efforts. Consequently, offenders, some potentially serial offenders, are not held accountable for their crimes and are free to re-offend.
The Solution
The Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office (LCCAO) is enhancing its Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) by hiring a dedicated prosecutor. Together with allied professionals on the SART, the prosecutor is leveraging data and technology to identify gaps in victim services and crime responses and to develop responsive programming. Through the IPS grant, the site is training community stakeholders on issues related to sexual assault prevention and investigation. Lastly, the site is identifying evidence-based training programs that are effective in increasing public awareness of sexual assault.
The Evaluation
The SART prosecutor and other partners are collecting data to measure the project’s effectiveness. Specifically, team members will analyze data shared by SART partners to identity gaps in education and gaps in services for sexual assault victims. Trends in services not accessed will help identify service gaps.
The Team
Buta Biberaj – Commonwealth’s Attorney, LCCAO
Danica Clore – Victim Advocate, LCCAO
Megan Cox – Program Evaluation and Research Manager, Department of Finance and Budget, Loudoun County Government
Anna Hammond – Deputy Commonwealth Attorney, SART Prosecutor, LCCAO
Shara Krogh – Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, LCCAO
Barbara Lawrence – Grants Coordinator, Department of Finance and Budget, Loudoun County Government
Jasmine Sanders – Victim Advocate, LCCAO
Barry Zweig – Deputy Commonwealth Attorney, LCCAO
The Problem
Davidson County, the home to Nashville, TN, has consistently reported a low number of human trafficking cases, despite the fact that law enforcement knows these crimes to be far more prevalent in the area.
The Solution
The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office (DCDAO) is expanding the identification of trafficking victims/survivors and increasing their access to services. The IPS team is enhancing its capability to identify human trafficking victims/survivors through the use of the validated Trafficking Victim Identification Tool and working with the Probation Department to implement an expanded screening system. Once trafficked individuals are identified, the Cherished HEARTS program connects participants with a dedicated multidisciplinary court team and a wide variety of trauma-informed, wraparound services — including substance abuse treatment, mental and physical health treatment, case management, housing, job placement, and safety planning. The goal is to avoid the incarceration of human trafficking victims and provide them with meaningful opportunities to regain autonomy and stability.
The Evaluation
An independent researcher, Lauren Allard, is assessing whether the Cherished HEARTS program is improving the identification of human trafficking victims, enhancing efforts to prosecute human trafficking cases, and filling gaps in community-based services for survivors.
The Team
Lauren Allard — Project Evaluator, Allard Consulting, LLC
The Honorable Ana Escobar — Judge, General Sessions Court, Davidson County
Riley McMath — Human Trafficking Case Manager, Davidson County Office of Family Safety
Breanna Miller — Inmate Education and Trafficking Specialist, Davidson County Office of Family Safety
Jenna Robl — Program Specialist, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Thomas Pitt — Program Manager, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Melanie Taylor — Program Manager, Cherished HEARTS
Sarah Wolfson Butler — Assistant District Attorney, DCDAO
The Problem
In recent years, Rockdale County has experienced an upward tick in homicides, particularly those related to domestic violence.
The Solution
Through IPS, the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office is developing the Comprehensive Homicide Initiative, led by a dedicated domestic violence prosecutor and a dedicated domestic violence advocate, to identify and target the area’s most violent offenders. The DA’s office is strengthening collaboration and enhancing training with local probation, parole, and law enforcement agencies to preemptively identify dangerous individuals, providing enhanced services to victims of potentially lethal offenders, and increasing the investigation and prosecution of both domestic violence incidents and domestic violence homicides. Through this combination of preventative and responsive efforts, the Rockdale team plans to reduce domestic violence recidivism and prevent future homicides while enhancing offender accountability.
The Evaluation
Derek Marchman from Gordon State College will analyze police data, incident reports, officer perceptions, case dispositions, offenders’ criminal histories, and more to assess the project's implementation and determine its impact on criminal justice outcomes and recidivism rates.
The Team
Alisha Adams Johnson — District Attorney, Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office
Derek Marchman — Researcher and Professor, Gordon State College
Shalonda Stroman — Office Manager, Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office
The Problem
An average of 17,000 domestic violence incidents are reported to police in San Diego County each year, but relatively few of these cases can be prosecuted, typically due to evidentiary standards.
The Solution
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (SDCDAO) is testing the impact of using text messages to notify victims when the Office cannot file charges, as well as to warn offenders in these cases about the consequences of future criminal behavior. The content of these messages has been developed from best practices research and input from key stakeholders — including victim advocates, the defense bar, and county prosecutors. Meanwhile, analysts are reviewing data on body-worn camera footage to determine if and how such evidence affects charging decisions. SDCDAO is also developing a forecasting model to identify risk factors for repeat domestic violence incidents to better inform the triaging of cases going forward.
The Evaluation
Independent researcher Deborah Lamm Weisel will assess whether the offender warning messages reduce recidivism, prevent escalation of offense severity, or increase the time between subsequent domestic violence incidents. SDCDAO also distributed a survey to assess the effectiveness of text notifications in keeping victims informed about case outcomes.
TEAM MEMBERS
Deborah Lamm Weisel, Ph.D. — Project Researcher
Karin Schmerler — Program Coordinator, SDCDAO
Julie Wartell — Project Analyst, SDCDAO
The Problem
King County, WA has long recognized the prevalence of human trafficking within their jurisdiction, and they have historically been on the forefront of combatting it with creative responses. However, with ever-emerging technology, exploitation can often be hard to identify when buying sex can so easily happen online. Furthermore, survivors often face multiple barriers to exiting exploitative situations, especially where police, prosecutors, and community-based organizations are not working collaboratively.
The Solution
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO) is using innovative approaches to successfully investigate and prosecute sexual exploitation and sex trafficking cases. The IPS team is partnering with local NGOs such as The Lantern Project (SAS) and Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) in addition to working more collaboratively with King County’s Child Advocacy Center. With these partnerships, KCPAO is enhancing its capability to identify victims and connect them with services. KCPAO is also providing outreach, training, and technical support to its law enforcement partners in an effort to identify and prosecute offenders. Finally, KCPAO is partnering with agencies that are using technology tools such as Project: Sugar Free to potentially disrupt trafficking instances and an online application called Freedom Signal that works to identify victims and offer them services. The team is also hiring a second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases in South King County. Lastly, KCPAO will achieve sustainable crime prevention by requiring defendants who buy sex to complete an accountability course that addresses the root causes of their actions.
The Evaluation
KCPAO is using Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK) to track metrics, such as the number of trafficking related charges filed during a certain time period, the length of time it takes for cases to resolve, victim and offender demographics, and whether victims have been connected to advocacy services.
The Team
Amy Bullard — Grant Manager, KCPAO
Ben Gauen — Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, KCPAO
Jay Zhao — Director, Budget & Finance, KCPAO
The Problem
Gone on Arrival (GOA) domestic violence incidents make up over half of the domestic violence cases referred to the St. Paul City Attorney’s Office (SPCAO). Domestic abusers who flee the crime scene are often more dangerous and pose a greater threat to victim safety than arrested suspects, yet GOA cases were rarely reviewed and charged with the same urgency as cases in which the offender was arrested at the scene.
The Solution
SPCAO created the “GOA Project” to specifically address domestic violence cases where the offender is no longer at the crime scene when law enforcement arrives. This site is employing an inter-agency approach by hiring one designated prosecutor and one system advocate to work with the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) and victims on a daily basis. The Office is also creating a GOA Project Policies and Procedures Manual and is working with SPPD to create training curricula for law enforcement to better respond to domestic calls. SPCAO is building on its existing case management technology provided by Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK) to incorporate risk information directly into PBK’s Court Face Sheet, a summary page that provides specific offender-related information. This innovative technology will enable prosecutors to make more informed and more persuasive decisions regarding recommendations for bail, protective orders, and sentencing, as well as plea negotiations.
The Evaluation
The GOA Project is using SPCAO’s existing case management software, PBK, for crime and intelligence data gathering and analysis. Technical experts are using PBK’s modern technology to better manage, analyze, and extract data.
The Team
Kyle Lundgren – Assistant City Attorney, SPCAO
Tara Patet – Supervising Attorney, SPCAO
Amanda Rice – Technical Expert, SPCAO
Kathleen Salaba – GOA System Advocate, SPCAO
Michael Seasly – Assistant City Attorney, SPCAO
The Problem
East Baton Rouge has been ravaged by the opioid crisis that has affected much of America. In 2019, the parish suffered 127 fatal overdoses, over 90 percent of which were opioid-related. This trend has continued unabated into 2020: as of June 2020, there has been a 93% increase in year-over-year overdose deaths.
The Solution
The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office (EBRDA) aims to disrupt the market for opioids by targeting high-profile drug dealers. With the expertise of an impressive multidisciplinary team — consisting of representatives from EBRDA, the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Louisiana National Guard, and others — the team regularly collects and analyzes a robust dataset pertaining to opioid prescriptions, overdoses, Narcan distributions, opioid-related arrests, and more. Through monthly data dashboards, social network analysis, and drug market mapping, the team is developing detailed intelligence on drug distribution networks and opioid hotspots, which will enable more targeted enforcement of opioid-related crime. The IPS team is also developing a community awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of opioids and the existence of Good Samaritan laws, designed to encourage witnesses to intervene in the case of an opioid-related overdose.
The Evaluation
Researchers from Louisiana State University (LSU) are compiling and analyzing data generated through the project to evaluate the team’s efforts to disrupt opioid trafficking in the region and to assess whether the collaborative partnership has increased the community’s understanding of the risks of opioids.
The Team
Lawrence Alexander, Jr. — Group Supervisor, Drug Enforcement Administration
Sonia Armstrong — Counterdrug Analyst and Sergeant, Louisiana National Guard
Rob Chambers — Lieutenant and Narcotics Officer, Eastern Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office
Beau Clark — Coroner, East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office
Jon Daily, CPA — Grants Manager, EBRDA
Steve Danielson — Director of Crime Strategies Unit, EBRDA
Holly Distefano — Crime Statistician, BRPD
Joe Fontenot — Assistant Executive Director, Louisiana Board of Pharmacy/Prescription Monitoring Program
Carol Johnson — Analyst, Drug Enforcement Administration
Jamie Nolen — Crime Statistician, BRPD
Jamie Oertel — Probation/Parole Officer, Louisiana Department of Corrections
Jeff Pittman — Lieutenant and Narcotics Detective, BRPD
Paul Pugliese — Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Louisiana
Gabriele Richardson, Ph.D. — Professor of Geography & Anthropology, LSU
Tracey Rizzuto, Ph.D. — Associate Director of the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development, LSU
Jim Steele — Investigator, EBRDA
Michael Weileman — EMS Unit Commander, City of Baton Rouge
Elizabeth Winchester, Ph.D. — Research Associate, Social Research and Evaluation Center, LSU
The Problem
Known as the “Gateway to the North,” Clare County, MI — a rural area of 575 square miles that intersect with several major highways — experiences a significant amount of drug trafficking over its borders, and has been hit hard by the opioid crisis.
The Solution
The Clare County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO) is creating a multiagency counterdrug task force — including medical personnel, pharmacists, probation and parole representatives, substance abuse counselors, and other law enforcement members — who will meet monthly to review current opioid investigations and potential new leads. CCPO is also investing in its Recovery Court, a program designed to help high-risk offenders recover from substance abuse and addiction, and will continue partnering with the Central Michigan Health Department on its syringe replacement program.
The Evaluation
Jyotsna Pandey from the Central Michigan University College of Medicine is conducting a process evaluation to assess the implementation of CCPO’s task force and investigative efforts. Dr. Pandey will is also assessing opioid prescribing patterns, the impact of prescription opioids on the incidence of opioid use disorders, and provider and public opinions on opioid use and abuse.
TEAM MEMBERS
Michelle Ambrozaitis — Prosecuting Attorney, CCPO
Dale Heugel — Investigator, CCPO
Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D. — Professor of Pathology, Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Mark Webb — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, CCPO
The Problem
Covington County has been devastated by opioid abuse. In 2018, it had 2.55 times the number of opioid prescriptions per capita as the national average.
The Solution
The Covington County District Attorney’s Office (CCDAO) has created an Opioid Abuse & Prevention Task Force, which includes paramedics, law enforcement, an administrator, a training coordinator, an investigator, and a prosecutor. This Task Force responds to all overdose scenes and processes them to determine if another party played a role in the death or injury of the victim. It also hosts trainings for the region’s law enforcement and other first responders on the proper procedures for securing and investigating overdose scenes, as well as techniques for interviewing witnesses to ensure their cooperation in calling for help in the future. Additionally, the team is providing an Overdose Response Pack to every police department, fire department, paramedic unit, and rescue squad in the county to keep first responders safe while they do their jobs. The CCDAO is hosting conferences to educate local doctors and pharmacists on the dangers of overprescribing opioids and hiring a work-study student (from a local high school) to facilitate public discourse and promote community prevention practices regarding illegal opioid use.
The Evaluation
Shannon Levitzke from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College will assist the Task Force in assessing the impact of their efforts on opioid use, and will help present lessons learned to the wider criminal justice community.
The Team
Sabrina Cobb — Drug Court Coordinator, CCDAO
Josh Dutton — Grant Coordinator, CCDAO
Shannon Levitzke — Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Walt Merrell — District Attorney, CCDAO
The Problem
Wayne County has been hit hard by the opioid crisis. In 2018, it contained eight of the ten cities with the highest overdose death rates in Michigan.
The Solution
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (WCPO) is aiming to reduce and prevent opioid-related overdose deaths through a three-pronged strategy: utilizing data science to locate and prioritize hotspots of overlapping opioid-related activity and violent crime; eliminating the threshold for case referrals to WCPO’s drug unit; and employing a one-person grand jury to streamline investigations of opioid-related overdose cases. The initiative includes active partners from the Detroit Police Department (DPD), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other criminal justice professionals in order to provide a coordinated system-wide response. Researchers at the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Criminal Justice are conducting a geospatial analysis to identify the areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, which will enable the IPS team to target enforcement and investigations with precision.
The Evaluation
MSU researchers will analyze the project’s impact on the opioid crisis by examining changes in arrest and case closure rates, as well as opioid-related overdose morbidity and mortality.
The Team
Anna Bickerstaff — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
John Casey — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Emily Corwin — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Eric Decker — Commander, DPD
Julie Krupa — Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
David LeValley — Deputy Chief, DPD
Juli Liebler, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
Edmund McGarrell, Ph.D — Professor, School of Criminal Justice, MSU
Kim Miles — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, WCPO
Rob Moran — Chief of Special Investigations, WCPO
Patrick Muscat — Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Special Prosecutions Division , WCPO
Ariel Roddy — Doctoral Student in Criminal Justice, MSU
Trisha Stein — Director of Administrative Operations, DPD
Mark Thornton — Captain, DPD
Kam Towns — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Community Prosecution Unit, WCPO
The Problem
Hocking County, an Appalachian area in southeastern Ohio, is at the frontlines of the American opioid epidemic. As the crisis persists, the justice system has struggled to keep pace with the growing number of opioid-related criminal cases.
The Solution
Through the IPS initiative, the Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO) is developing a diversion program for individuals with substance abuse issues who have committed specified low-level criminal offenses — i.e., individuals who are in need of community-based substance abuse and behavioral health services instead of jail/prison time. The Prosecutor’s Office has partnered with Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime of Southeast Ohio (TASC), a case management program that will conduct eligibility screenings and manage participants’ counseling and treatment. The office is also working closely with the Hocking Overdose Partnership Endeavor (HOPE), a multidisciplinary opioid crisis response team, to connect individuals at risk for overdose, overdose survivors, and their families with substance abuse and behavioral health treatment providers and peer recovery specialists.
The Evaluation
An in-house researcher will evaluate the effectiveness of the program through robust data collection and analysis. Metrics will include the percentage of diversion participants who reoffend and changes in prosecution outcomes.
The Team
Brenda Arthur — Diversion Administrator, HCPO
Wes Gilkey — Project Evaluator, HCPO
Gretchen Gregory — Grant Administrator, HCPO
Ryan Stickel — Assistant Prosecutor, HCPO
The Problem
Memphis is experiencing an ongoing opioid crisis, with overdose deaths spiking dramatically in the last half-decade.
The Solution
Through IPS, the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office (SCDAG) and its partners at the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and the University of Memphis aim to enhance the investigation of fatal and nonfatal overdoses through use of a mobile Cellebrite technology known as UFED InField. This product will enable detectives to extract data from overdose victims’ cell phones at the scene of the overdose, expediting investigations — and, it is hoped, enabling detectives to more quickly identify opioid dealers. A crime analyst will supplement investigations by reviewing Cellebrite data through analytical software, assisting with social network analysis, and using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) and risk terrain modeling to identify opioid hotspots.
The Evaluation
Dr. Angela Madden from the University of Memphis will assess whether mobile Cellebrite technology improves case investigations and outcomes, whether social network analysis facilitates identification of suspects, and whether ODMAP data and risk terrain modeling helps the team identify opioid hotspots.
The Team
Dennis Evans — Detective, MPD
Joseph Griffith — Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office
Angela Madden, Ph.D. — Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,, University of Memphis
Jen Morris — Assistant District Attorney General, SCDAG
Julie Nations — Grants Manager, SCDAG
Stephen Ragland — Assistant District Attorney General, SCDAG
Scott Sharpe — Chief Administrative Officer, SCDAG
The Problem
Milwaukee is the 28th largest city in the nation, but has the second highest rate of poverty. The city has also suffered from a recent increase in violent crime and opioid overdoses.
The Solution
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office (MCDAO) has hired an Opioid Community Prosecutor to enhance opioid trafficking and death investigations and connect overdose victims with needed services. The prosecutor works closely with the West Allis Police Department Drug Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to build cases and identify people who need treatment for addiction. Dr. Constance Kostelac from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is conducting social network analysis to enhance the team’s understanding of the opioid epidemic and the connections between distributors, victims, and bystanders. The multidisciplinary IPS team is also holding monthly Overdose Fatality Reviews to identify missed opportunities for overdose prevention and intervention as well as suppression of drug distribution.
The Evaluation
Dr. Kostelac will assess the IPS team’s effectiveness in investigating potential opioid suspects and victims.
The Team
Jeffrey Altenburg — Deputy District Attorney and Community Prosecutor Team Captain, MCDAO
Katie Hawkins — Grants Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Justice
Constance Kostelac, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor in Epidemiology, MCW
Bruce Landgraf — Deputy District Attorney and Financial Officer, MCDAO
Karen Loebel — Deputy District Attorney and Violent Crime Unit Supervisor, MCDAO
Chelsea Pierski — Assistant District Attorney and Opioid Community Prosecutor, MCDAO
Dennis Powers — Policy Analyst, Wisconsin Department of Justice
Michael Totoraitis — Graduate Student, MCW
The Problem
Montgomery County has witnessed an unprecedented rise in prescription opioid abuse. From 2012 to 2016, 72% of the overdose fatalities involved prescribed substances, according to the County Forensic Services Department. During the same time period, the County was the deadliest for DUI fatalities per capita among Texas counties with populations greater than 500,000 — and “drugged driving” contributed significantly to those deaths.
The Solution
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (MCDAO) has developed a Pre-Crime Unit, which targets the sources of prescription drug abuse through aggressive and responsible investigations and prosecutions. The Unit, which consists of a prosecutor, an investigator, and a paralegal, adopted an innovative approach to detect suspicious prescription opioid activities in the County. An integrated, actionable dataset was built to retrospectively track prescription records for high-risk individuals — who were identified as such based on known health outcomes or criminal justice outcomes. Law-violating prescribers and doctor shoppers can be detected via the leads from this dataset for further investigation and prosecution.
The Evaluation
Dr. Ling Ren from Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is evaluating the impact of the Pre-Crime Unit on prescription drug abuse/diversion in the County. The evaluation involves statistical analysis using multiple de-identified datasets — including prescriptions, overdose deaths, arrests for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and fatal and incapacitating DUI crashes involving controlled substances.
The Team
Tamara Holland — Assistant District Attorney, MCDAO
Joe Nichols — Investigator, MCDAO
Ling Ren, Ph.D. — Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, SHSU
The Problem
The opioid epidemic is worsening in New Orleans. Over the last several year, fatal opioid overdoses have surpassed the number of murders in the parish due to increases in the availability of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids, which are often mixed with other drugs.
The Solution
To curb the epidemic, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office is developing a Rapid-Response Overdose Homicide Unit, staffed by a dedicated prosecutor, a Coroner's Investigator, a multijurisdictional case advocate, and a data analytics team from the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI). The Unit expedites and streamlines the collection evaluation of overdose crime scene evidence and generates intelligence through the newly-created Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office Investigator. The team will also investing in field-capable Cellebrite technology, which will enable first responders and the Coroner's Investigator to collect digital evidence from an overdose victim's cell phone in real time. Evidence generated through mobile Cellebrite data and Homicide Unit investigations is relayed to the multiagency New Orleans Gang Task Force in order to enhance collaboration among law enforcement entitites and build complex cases that target the area's most violent criminal enterprises and drug trafficking organizations. Together, the IPS partners are developing best practices for opioid overdose death investigations and evidence collection and creating an overdose death investigation information database accessible by law enforcement and prosecution entities. They are utilizing the augmented investigation and data collection strategy to identify and report “bad batch” trends (when a shipment of drugs is mixed with a deadly amount of another substance—often fentanyl) to public health stakeholders and the community.
The Evaluation
LPHI will determine whether the addition of the Coroner’s Investigator to overdose crime scenes leads to enhanced overdose data collection and whether that data is used to inform investigations and prosecutions.
The Team
Melanie Canterberry, Ph.D. — Senior Analyst, Evaluation and Research, LPHI — Analytics and Evaluation Lead
Andre Gaudin — Assistant District Attorney, New Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office — Project Lead
Kristin Lyman — Associate Director, Health Services Research, LPHI — Data Integration and Policy Lead
The Problem
There has been a significant increase in opioid and fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Sonoma County, CA over since 2018, but investigations and prosecutions have not yet caught up to respond to the scope of the crisis. The limited prosecution of opioid and fentanyl overdose deaths in Sonoma County is associated with a number of gaps in resources and training among county law enforcement agencies.
The Solution
The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office (SCDA) is creating the Sonoma County Opioid Prosecution Effort (SCOPE) initiative to respond to an increase in opioid-related crimes. The SCDA has also re-established its Narcotics Unit and is using IPS funding to hire a Senior District Attorney, a Senior Investigator, and a Senior Technology Specialist. This dedicated team is strengthening multi-agency coordination while increasing training on investigative techniques and evidence collection. To increase the successful prosecution of opioid-related crimes, the SCDA is expanding its use of Evidence.com, a website that will enable multi-agency information-sharing of electronically stored evidence. Lastly, SCDA is partnering with Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK) to efficiently track all opioid-related cases.
The Evaluation
The Technology Specialist is collecting data and reporting findings to team members and law enforcement partners on a regular basis. These metrics will be used to assess project performance and guide modifications to program strategy in order to increase the success of the project.
The Team
William "Bill" Brockley – Assistant District Attorney, SCDA
Gina Burk – Department Analyst, SCDA
Richard Celli – Senior Investigator, SCDA
Jone Croft – Department Analyst, SCDA
Cecile Focha – Chief Investigator, SCDA
Thomas Gotshall – Deputy District Attorney IV, SCDA
Scott Jamar – Chief Deputy District Attorney, SCDA
Shane Lewis – Administrative Services Officer
Carlos Mariscal – Technology Specialist, SCDA
Cassandra Stinson – Department Analyst, SCDA
The Problem
Like many areas across the nation, Worcester County has experienced a significant increase in drug overdose deaths.
The Solution
The Middle District Attorney’s Office (MDAO) has established the Worcester County Overdose Death Response Initiative, modeled after a similar initiative in Richmond County, New York, to investigate all fatal opioid overdoses as potential homicides. Researchers at Fitchburg State University (FSU) are conducting data analysis, which will help the team develop geographic investigation and prosecution strategies. Law enforcement aims to use this intelligence to more effectively target areas and offenders driving opioid crime. The IPS team is also engaging in monthly fatality reviews and partnering with the Central Massachusetts Opioid Task Force to provide outreach and recovery services to the community.
The Evaluation
FSU researchers are helping the IPS team conduct hotspot mapping and analyze crime data, as well as assessing the initiative’s success in reducing opioid-related crime.
The Team
Ryan Carter — Research Assistant, FSU
Karen Henry — Grant Writer, MDAO
Alan Hunte — Commander, State Police Detective Unit — Middle District, Massachusetts State Police
Hildur Schilling, Ph.D. — Professor of Psychology, FSU
Thomas Schilling, Ph.D. — Professor of Psychology, FSU
Elizabeth Walsh, Ph.D. — Professor of Criminal Justice, FSU
Jill Wooldridge — Community Outreach Coordinator, MDAO
Shayna Woodard — Assistant District Attorney, MDAO
The Problem
Recent studies have yielded plenty of evidence showing that young adults are fundamentally different from juveniles and older adults in their brain development and in how they process information and make decisions. The traditional justice system is not designed to address cases involving offenders in this age group.
The Solution
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) has implemented a diversion program for defendants ages 18 to 25 who presented a moderate risk of reoffense. Participants are selected using the Ohio Risk Assessment System and a strict set of eligibility criteria. Once in the program, the young adults plead guilty to the crimes committed, regularly appear before a diversion judge, and are monitored by experienced probation officers. The program works with each of these young adults to identify their needs and future goals and make appropriate referrals for healthcare, education, training, and employment. Once participants successfully complete their program requirements, their guilty pleas are withdrawn and charges are dismissed.
The Evaluation
Researchers at St. Louis University and Arizona State University assessed how the diversion program was implemented and helped analyze which aspects of the program were most effective in addressing the needs of young adults.
The Team
Aja Corrigan — Victim Witness Specialist, St. Louis CAO
Scott Decker — Foundation Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University
Noelle Fearn, Ph.D. — Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, St. Louis University
Megan Kraatz — Former Diversion Coordinator, St. Louis CAO
Joshua Lubatkin — Diversion Coordinator and Assistant Circuit Attorney, St. Louis CAO
Sarah Phillips — Former Director of Victim Services, St. Louis CAO
Khatib Waheed — Former IPS Diversion Manager, St. Louis CAO
The Problem
Washington, D.C. has experienced high rates of recidivism among the area’s youth and young adults.
The Solution
The District of Columbia’s Office of the Attorney General (DCOAG) has created and implemented a restorative justice (RJ) program aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending among individuals between the ages of 12 and 24 who have committed low-level offenses (e.g., unlawful entry, theft). Upon the victim’s consent, DCOAG facilitates a mediation process between the victim, the offender, and their families, which includes an in-person conference during which the defendant admits wrongdoing and apologizes to the victim; a conference agreement requiring the defendant to take certain actions to make amends to the victim; and at least a six-month monitoring period to ensure compliance with the RJ agreement. By addressing the underlying causes of the offender’s actions, the program aims to empower victims while putting at-risk youth on a more productive and law-abiding path.
The Evaluation
To assess the impact of the RJ program on victims and offenders, researchers at the Center for Court Innovation (CCI) surveyed and formally interviewed participants. The program’s evaluation process included data-driven performance metrics that measured recidivism rates after participation in the program.
The Team
Seema Gajwani — Special Counsel on Juvenile Justice Reform, DCOAG
Roman Haferd — Restorative Justice Coordinator, DCOAG
Dana Kralstein — Associate Director of Research, CCI
IPS Grantees Index
Gang and Gun-Related Crime
Baton Rouge, LA (FY20)
Bronx, NY
Chicago, IL (FY17)
Chicago, IL (FY19)
Cleveland, OH (FY19)
Cleveland, OH (FY20)
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI (FY17)
Duluth, MN
Flint, MI
Hawaii County, HI
Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville, FL
Kansas City, MO
Long Beach, CA
Miami, FL
Nassau County, NY
Newark, NJ
New Orleans, LA (FY20)
Phoenix, AZ
Plymouth County, MA
Plymouth, MA (FY20)
Rhode Island
St. Louis, MO (FY19)
Yolo County, CA
York County, PA
Case Management, Technology, and Analysis
Clare County, MI
Commission on Prosecution Coordination, SC
Fulton County, GA
Manhattan, NY
Gender-Based Violence & Human Trafficking
Cobb County, GA
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, GA
Licking County, OH
Loudoun County, VA
Nashville, TN
Rockdale County, GA
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
St. Paul, MN
Opioid-Related Crimes
Baton Rouge, LA (FY18)
Clare County, MI
Covington County, AL
Detroit, MI (FY18)
Hocking County, OH
Memphis, TN
Milwaukee, WI
Montgomery County, TX
New Orleans, LA (FY19)
Sonoma County, CA
Worcester County, MA
Violence Reduction and Alternatives to Incarceration
St. Louis, MO (FY15)
Washington, DC
