Portrait of CJI Vice President Spurgeon Kennedy, against split-screen gray and black background with text showing his name and title of the article.

As we celebrate National Crime Prevention Month, I am filled with pride and hope for our progress. This month reminds us that every number tells a story—each statistic represents individuals and families impacted by crime.

For the third straight year, we’ve witnessed a decline in violent crime, adding to over a decade of declining crime overall. This achievement—measured in percentages and figures—reflects the hard work and dedication of countless individuals and organizations committed to positive change. At the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI), we are honored to play a role in this trend. Time has shown that our focus on data-driven, evidence-based strategies and strong partnerships fosters safer neighborhoods and lower crime rates.

Here are some of the key ways our work contributes to crime prevention: 

  • We collaborate with state leaders to propose comprehensive public safety policy recommendations.
  • We meet with community supervision and reentry partners to support sustainable efforts that help people successfully reintegrate into their communities.
  • We work with police departments to collect and analyze available data to create improved policies, strategies, tactics, and increase community trust.
  • We partner with pretrial stakeholders to implement data- and evidence-based practices that help people succeed while reducing unnecessary costs to the state.
  • We equip policymakers, leaders, system stakeholders, and the community with skills and knowledge to improve youth justice systems.
  • We provide training to help corrections professionals facilitate behavior change within their populations through cognitive behavioral interventions and group facilitation.

Since July of this year, CJI has been honored with 10 new grants and awards recognizing our impactful work advancing public safety. These include funding from diverse sources such as the United States Department of Justice (Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention); the National Institute of Corrections; Arnold Ventures, LLC; the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oakland County, Michigan; and the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. These achievements reflect the dedication of our team and partners—governors, state agencies, legislative leaders, courts, corrections systems, law enforcement, and private foundations—who are transforming justice systems and enhancing public safety. We look forward to these new opportunities to partner with those committed to improving their communities and creating lasting change.

While we celebrate these accomplishments, our work is far from finished. Crime prevention relies on the collective effort of individuals, communities, and organizations. I urge everyone to get involved—whether through volunteering, advocating for data-driven policies, or engaging with your neighbors. Together, we can strengthen our communities.

This National Crime Prevention Month let’s maintain this momentum by remembering that behind every statistic lies a person. By continuing to collaborate and innovate, we can ensure that every community not only feels safe but is safe.

In solidarity,

Kenny

VP, Crime and Justice Institute