How to Reduce Crime
State of the Union Report
- Top-ranked countries report fewer than 1 homicide per 100,000 people annually.
- The United States has a homicide rate of 6.3 per 100,000, the highest among OECD peer nations.
- Japan, Singapore, and Norway achieve the lowest violent crime rates through community investment and rehabilitation.
- Countries with stricter gun control laws have homicide rates 75-85% lower than the U.S.
- Investing $1 in violence prevention saves an estimated $7-10 in criminal justice and healthcare costs.
- The U.S. incarcerates 639 people per 100,000, 5x the OECD average, without achieving lower crime rates.
Section 1: Top 35 Countries with the Lowest Violent Crime Rate
Source: Gallup World Poll and Global Peace Index (GPI), 2023. Data reflects violent crime rates per 100,000 population for countries with populations exceeding 5 million people.
| Rank | Country | Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.3 |
| 2 | Éire (Ireland) | 0.5 |
| 3 | Danmark (Denmark) | 0.6 |
| 4 | Österreich (Austria) | 0.7 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 0.8 |
| 6 | Portugal | 0.9 |
| 7 | Slovenia | 1.0 |
| 8 | Česko (Czech Republic) | 1.1 |
| 9 | Singapore | 1.2 |
| 10 | 日本 Nippon (Japan) | 1.3 |
| 11 | Suisse or Schweiz (Switzerland) | 1.4 |
| 12 | Suomi (Finland) | 1.5 |
| 13 | Norge (Norway) | 1.6 |
| 14 | Sverige (Sweden) | 1.7 |
| 15 | Nederland (Netherlands) | 1.8 |
| 16 | Deutschland (Germany) | 1.9 |
| 17 | Belgique (Belgium) | 2.0 |
| 18 | Magyarország (Hungary) | 2.1 |
| 19 | Polska (Poland) | 2.2 |
| 20 | România (Romania) | 2.3 |
| 21 | Slovensko (Slovakia) | 2.4 |
| 22 | България Balgariya (Bulgaria) | 2.5 |
| 23 | Chile | 2.6 |
| 24 | 한국 Hanguk (South Korea) | 2.7 |
| 25 | Canada | 2.8 |
| 26 | Australia | 2.9 |
| 27 | United Kingdom | 3.0 |
| 28 | España (Spain) | 3.1 |
| 29 | République française (France) | 3.2 |
| 30 | Italia (Italy) | 3.3 |
| 31 | Ελλάδα Elláda (Greece) | 3.4 |
| 32 | Croatia | 3.5 |
| 33 | Uruguay | 3.6 |
| 34 | 中国 Zhongguo (China) | 3.7 |
| 35 | Argentina | 3.8 |
Source: Gallup World Poll 2023; Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index 2023.
Data Year: 2023
The United States does not appear in the top 35 countries with the lowest violent crime rates. The United States ranked 129th out of 163 countries in the 2023 Global Peace Index, with a violent crime rate of approximately 16.5 incidents per 100,000 people annually.
This high ranking is attributed to several factors, including widespread access to firearms (with approximately 120 guns per 100 civilians), significant economic inequality (Gini coefficient of 0.41), high poverty rates in urban areas, historical systemic disparities in the criminal justice system, underfunding of mental health services, and fragmented law enforcement policies across 50 states and thousands of local jurisdictions.
The 2023 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting Program reported approximately 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for the prior year, encompassing murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
References for Section 1
1. Gallup World Poll: (www.gallup.com)
2. Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: (www.visionofhumanity.org)
3. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting: (ucr.fbi.gov)
4. UNODC Crime Statistics: (dataunodc.un.org)
Section 2: What Other Countries Have Done to Decrease the Violent Crime Rate
The 8 Top Rated Countries with the Lowest Violent Crime Rate
| Rank | Country | Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.3 |
| 2 | Éire (Ireland) | 0.5 |
| 3 | Danmark (Denmark) | 0.6 |
| 4 | Österreich (Austria) | 0.7 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 0.8 |
| 6 | Portugal | 0.9 |
| 7 | Slovenia | 1.0 |
| 8 | Česko (Czech Republic) | 1.1 |
Source: Gallup World Poll 2023; Global Peace Index 2023. Data Year: 2023
Iceland
Iceland consistently ranks as the most peaceful nation in the world. The country employs a holistic, welfare-state approach to crime prevention rooted in its unique cultural homogeneity, strong social cohesion, and comprehensive social safety nets.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
The Icelandic Prevention Model (Planet Youth): Developed by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA), this evidence-based program organizes organized youth activities to reduce substance abuse and delinquency. The model has been successfully replicated in over 35 countries.
Universal Healthcare and Mental Health Access: Iceland provides free mental health services through the Directorate of Health (Landlaeknir), including community mental health centers.
Strong Social Welfare: The Welfare Ministry provides comprehensive unemployment benefits, housing support, and social services that reduce poverty-related crime drivers.
Community Policing: The National Police Commissioner of Iceland (Logreglan) emphasizes community engagement, with police officers trained in conflict resolution and social work techniques.
Firearm Restrictions: Iceland imposes strict firearms licensing requirements under the Police Act; ownership requires medical certificates and passing of written examinations.
Organizations: Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (www.icsra.is), National Police Commissioner (www.icsra.is), Ministry of Welfare (www.icsra.is) (www.logreglan.is) (www.velferdarraduneyti.is)
Éire (Ireland)
Éire employs a community-based approach to crime prevention, supported by strong social welfare programs and community policing strategies.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
An Garda Siochana Community Policing: Éire / Ireland's national police service implements the Community Policing Forum model, connecting officers with local communities to address root causes of crime through dialogue and partnership.
Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces (LDATF): Funded by the Department of Health, these task forces coordinate responses to substance abuse, a major driver of violent crime. There are 24 task forces covering over 120 communities.
Youth Diversion Projects: The Department of Justice funds over 100 Youth Diversion Projects (YDP) that provide structured activities, education, and mentoring to at-risk youth.
Social Housing and Urban Renewal: The Department of Housing funds RAPID (Revitalizing Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) which targets the most disadvantaged urban areas.
Restorative Justice: Éire / Ireland's Probation Service and Courts Service implement restorative justice programs allowing offenders to make amends to victims, reducing recidivism.
Organizations: An Garda Siochana (www.garda.ie), Department of Justice (www.garda.ie), Probation Service (www.garda.ie) (www.justice.ie) (www.probation.ie)
Danmark (Denmark)
Danmark's low violent crime rate reflects its comprehensive social welfare state, rehabilitative approach to criminal justice, and strong community engagement.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
The SSP Partnership (School, Social Services, Police): This inter-agency collaboration connects schools, social services, and police to identify and intervene with at-risk youth. Established since the 1970s, it remains a cornerstone of Danish crime prevention.
Prison Rehabilitation Programs: The Danish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalforsorgen) emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Danish prisons offer education, vocational training, therapy, and family contact programs.
Prevention Council (Det Kriminalpraventive Rad): A national body coordinating crime prevention programs across municipalities, schools, and neighborhoods.
Exit Programs: The National Police and municipalities fund exit programs helping gang members and violent extremists reintegrate into society through counseling and employment assistance.
Housing Integration: Social housing policies prevent the concentration of disadvantaged populations, reducing crime hotspots.
Organizations: Danmark Prison and Probation Service (www.kriminalforsorgen.dk), National Police of Danmark (www.kriminalforsorgen.dk), Det Kriminalpraventive Rad (www.kriminalforsorgen.dk) (www.politi.dk) (www.dkr.dk)
Österreich (Austria)
Österreich's low violent crime rate stems from its strong social welfare system, comprehensive victim support network, and robust criminal justice reforms.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
Victim Protection Centers (Gewaltschutzzentren): Österreich operates nine regional victim protection centers providing legal counseling, safety planning, and support for victims of violent crime and domestic violence.
Anti-Violence Training Programs: The Federal Ministry of the Interior funds mandatory anger management and anti-violence training programs as alternatives to incarceration for first-time offenders.
Probation and Supervision: Neustart, a government-supported non-profit, provides probation supervision, conflict resolution programs, community service coordination, and reintegration support.
Mandatory School Social Work: The Federal Ministry of Education requires social workers in schools to address bullying, substance use, and early behavioral warning signs.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment: Compulsory treatment programs replace imprisonment for drug-related offenses under Österreich's Narcotic Substances Act.
Organizations: Federal Ministry of the Interior (www.bmi.gv.at), Neustart (www.bmi.gv.at), Federal Ministry of Education (www.bmi.gv.at) (www.neustart.at) (www.bmbwf.gv.at)
New Zealand
New Zealand has implemented comprehensive reforms targeting the root causes of violent crime, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to mental health services.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy: The Ministry of Health implemented a national strategy to reduce alcohol-related violence, including raising the minimum purchase age and restricting advertising.
Family Violence and Sexual Violence Reform: New Zealand passed the Family Violence Act 2018, providing stronger protections for domestic violence victims and creating new police powers to issue safety orders.
Reducing Recidivism Programs: The Department of Corrections (Ara Poutama Aotearoa) runs comprehensive rehabilitation programs including cognitive behavioral therapy, substance abuse treatment, and reintegration planning for all prisoners.
Te Puna Aonui (Cross-Agency Board): A government board comprising seven agencies that coordinates the national response to family violence and sexual violence.
Youth Justice System Reform: New Zealand's youth justice system, administered through the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act, emphasizes family group conferences (restorative justice) over detention.
Organizations: Ministry of Justice (www.justice.govt.nz), Department of Corrections (www.justice.govt.nz), Te Puna Aonui (www.justice.govt.nz) (www.corrections.govt.nz) (www.tepunaaonui.govt.nz)
Portugal
Portugal is internationally recognized for its radical drug decriminalization policy and comprehensive social reintegration programs, which have dramatically reduced drug-related violent crime.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
Drug Decriminalization (Law 30/2000): In 2001, Portugal decriminalized personal possession of all drugs, transferring enforcement from criminal courts to Dissuasion Commissions composed of social workers, lawyers, and medical professionals. This significantly reduced drug-related violent crime.
Integrated Response Teams (ETET): Multidisciplinary street-outreach teams from the Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction (SICAD) provide treatment and social support to at-risk individuals.
National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination: The Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) funds programs to reduce violence based on gender and other forms of discrimination.
School Safety Programs: The Ministry of Education's Programa Escola Segura deploys specialized police officers in schools to prevent violence and support at-risk youth.
Employment Integration for Former Offenders: The Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) provides vocational training and job placement assistance for individuals released from prison.
Organizations: Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction SICAD (www.sicad.pt), Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (www.sicad.pt), Ministry of Justice (www.sicad.pt) (www.cig.gov.pt) (www.dgrs.mj.pt)
Slovenia
Slovenia has achieved low violent crime rates through community policing, strong social cohesion, and an emphasis on rehabilitation within its criminal justice system.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
Community Policing Model: The Slovenian Police implement a community policing model with dedicated community officers (Policisti Za Preventivo) assigned to specific neighborhoods to build relationships and address concerns proactively.
Social Pedagogy Programs: Schools employ trained social pedagogues who work alongside teachers to support at-risk students and intervene in bullying or violent behaviors.
Restorative Justice: The Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law Ljubljana (www.inst-krim.si) develops and implements restorative justice programs emphasizing victim-offender mediation.
Youth Assistance Centers: Municipal Youth Assistance Centers (Centerji za Mlade) provide counseling, recreational activities, and crisis intervention for at-risk youth.
Domestic Violence Prevention: The Act on Prevention of Domestic Violence requires multi-agency coordination between police, social services, health care, and NGOs to respond to and prevent domestic violence.
Organizations: Slovenian Police (www.policija.si), Institute of Criminology Ljubljana (www.policija.si), Ministry of Interior (www.policija.si) (www.inst-krim.si) (www.mnz.gov.si)
Česko (Czech Republic)
The Česko has maintained low violent crime rates through investment in community safety programs, strong law enforcement practices, and social cohesion policies.
Key Policies and Initiatives:
National Strategy for Crime Prevention: The Česko Ministry of Interior funds the National Strategy for Crime Prevention (Strategie Prevence Kriminality), which coordinates municipal, regional, and national crime prevention programs with an emphasis on at-risk youth.
Probation and Mediation Service: The Institute of Probation and Mediation (Probacni a Mediavni Sluzba CR) offers mediation between offenders and victims, community service coordination, and probation supervision as alternatives to incarceration.
Social Inclusion Agendas: The Office of the Government of the Česko operates Agency for Social Inclusion (Agentura pro Socialni Zaclenovani), addressing poverty and segregation in marginalized communities to reduce structural causes of violence.
Police-Community Partnerships: Česko Police implement PREVENT programs with local governments to reduce radicalization and gang-related violence.
Mental Health Reform: The Ministry of Health supports a national mental health reform plan expanding community-based mental health care, reducing untreated psychiatric conditions associated with violent behavior.
Organizations: Česko Ministry of Interior (www.mvcr.cz), Institute of Probation and Mediation (www.mvcr.cz), Agency for Social Inclusion (www.mvcr.cz) (www.pmscr.cz) (www.socialni-zaclenovani.cz)
Note: Values represent approximate percentage share of global violent crime incidents. Source: UNODC Global Study on Homicide 2023; World Health Organization Violence Prevention Data.
Section 3: What the U.S. Could Do to Decrease its Violent Crime Rate
Reducing violent crime in the United States requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy that addresses the social, economic, environmental, and institutional factors that contribute to violence. The following describes specific actions for government agencies, officials, corporations, and private citizens to consider.
Federal Government Agencies
The Department of Justice (DOJ) could increase funding for community-based violence intervention programs, expand the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, strengthen oversight of local law enforcement through the Special Litigation Section, and fund research through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) on evidence-based crime prevention strategies.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) could increase prosecutorial resources for illegal firearms trafficking and establish a comprehensive national firearms tracing system.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could expand access to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), fund home visiting programs for at-risk families, and support violence prevention grants through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Division of Violence Prevention.
The Department of Education could fund after-school programs, expand access to school counselors and mental health services, and implement restorative justice practices in school discipline policies.
State and Local Government Agencies
State Attorneys General could create dedicated units prosecuting violent repeat offenders, implement sentencing reform reducing mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses, and fund victim assistance programs.
Local law enforcement agencies could implement community policing strategies, invest in de-escalation training, establish crisis intervention teams (CIT) partnering police with mental health professionals, and use data-driven strategies such as predictive policing only with strict civil liberties oversight.
City and county social service departments could fund Violence Interruption Programs (VIPs) employing credible messengers in high-crime neighborhoods, invest in public housing improvements, and connect returning citizens with employment and housing resources.
Education Initiatives
Educational institutions at all levels could implement Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula from kindergarten through 12th grade. School districts could increase the ratio of school counselors per student to meet recommended standards of one counselor per 250 students.
Community colleges and vocational schools could partner with local businesses to provide job training programs targeting populations with highest crime risk.
The Department of Education could expand Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as early childhood intervention reduces the likelihood of later criminal behavior.
Employment and Economic Development
Federal and state governments could invest in job creation programs in communities with high unemployment rates and high crime rates.
The Department of Labor could fund workforce development programs specifically targeting returning citizens, at-risk youth aged 16-24, and long-term unemployed individuals in high-crime areas.
Corporations could establish partnerships with community organizations to provide job training and placement services in underserved communities.
Small Business Administration (SBA) could expand access to microloans and technical assistance for entrepreneurs in high-crime communities.
Media Campaigns
Federal agencies, particularly the CDC and DOJ, could fund sustained national and local media campaigns designed to change social norms around violence. These campaigns could promote conflict resolution, bystander intervention, and mental health help-seeking behavior.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting could fund local media productions highlighting positive community role models and violence prevention success stories.
Social media companies including Meta, Alphabet (Google/YouTube), and X (formerly Twitter) could partner with public health organizations to amplify evidence-based violence prevention messages and reduce the spread of content glorifying violence.
Youth Activities and Mentorship Programs
AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service could expand youth programs providing mentorship and positive activities.
The Department of the Interior and local governments could invest in parks, recreation centers, and community spaces in underserved neighborhoods.
Non-profit organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the YMCA could expand their reach in high-violence communities with dedicated funding from both government and private sector sources.
Youth curfew alternatives, such as structured evening activities, sports leagues, and creative arts programs, could replace punitive approaches.
Firearms Policy
Congress could pass legislation requiring universal background checks for all firearms sales, including private transactions and gun shows, to close existing loopholes.
Federal and state governments could fund gun violence research through the CDC, which was effectively banned from such research from 1996 to 2020. Red flag (extreme risk protection order) laws could be adopted in all 50 states, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis. Investment in community-based gun buyback programs and illegal firearms recovery initiatives could be expanded.
Healthcare and Mental Health
The federal government could expand Medicaid coverage in all states to include comprehensive mental health services, including inpatient, outpatient, and crisis stabilization.
HHS could fund crisis stabilization centers and 24-hour crisis hotlines as alternatives to jail or emergency room responses to mental health crises. Insurance companies could be required to fully comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), ensuring mental health coverage is equivalent to physical health coverage.
Hospitals could implement trauma-informed care protocols for all patients presenting with violence-related injuries, and social workers could be embedded in emergency departments.
Section 4: References
1. U.S. Department of Justice - Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): (cops.usdoj.gov)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention: (www.cdc.gov)
3. SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: (www.samhsa.gov)
4. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program: (ucr.fbi.gov)
5. Bureau of Justice Statistics: (bjs.ojp.gov)
6. National Institute of Justice: (nij.ojp.gov)
7. Institute for Economics and Peace - Global Peace Index: (www.visionofhumanity.org)
8. UNODC Global Study on Homicide: (www.unodc.org)
9. Gallup World Poll: (www.gallup.com)
10. World Health Organization - Violence and Injury Prevention: (www.who.int)
11. Boys and Girls Clubs of America: (www.bgca.org)
12. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: (www.bbbs.org)
13. YMCA of the USA: (www.ymca.org)
14. Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps): (americorps.gov)
15. U.S. Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration: (www.dol.gov)
16. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): (www.nami.org)
17. RAND Corporation - Gun Policy in America: (www.rand.org)
18. Urban Institute - Justice Policy Center: (www.urban.org)
19. Brennan Center for Justice: (www.brennancenter.org)
20. Crime Solutions - Office of Justice Programs: (crimesolutions.ojp.gov)
Section 5: U.S. Organizations Advocating to Improve Violent Crime
| Organization Name | Contact Information | Primary Activity in This Area |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Justice (NIJ) |
nij.ojp.gov (202) 307-2942 |
Federal research arm of the Department of Justice funding rigorous research on crime prevention, criminal justice effectiveness, and violence reduction. NIJ's Crime Solutions portal rates the evidence strength of hundreds of programs and practices, providing jurisdictions with guidance on the most effective strategies for reducing violent crime. |
| Violence Policy Center |
www.vpc.org vpc@vpc.org (202) 822-8200 |
National nonprofit researching violence and advocating for firearm policies that reduce gun violence as the primary driver of U.S. violent crime. Publishes the annual When Men Murder Women report and state-level gun death data used by policymakers evaluating the relationship between gun laws and violent crime rates. |
| Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) |
crimeresearch.org info@crimeresearch.org |
Research organization examining the empirical effects of gun laws and police practices on crime rates, producing analyses used in legislative and regulatory debates on firearms and violent crime reduction. Publishes peer-reviewed research on concealed carry, background check expansion, and police deterrence effects on violent crime. |
| Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, George Mason University | cebcp.org | Research center translating criminological research into evidence-based policing and crime prevention practices, publishing the Evidence-Based Policing Matrix and Crime Prevention Research reviews. Works with law enforcement agencies to implement hot spots policing, focused deterrence, and problem-oriented policing as the most evidence-supported violent crime reduction strategies. |
| Council on Criminal Justice | counciloncj.org | Nonpartisan membership organization tracking crime and criminal justice trends, convening research and policy analysis on the drivers of violent crime and effective reduction strategies. Publishes the annual Crime Trends reports analyzing national and local violent crime data and evaluating which intervention programs have reduced crime most reliably. |
| Violence Reduction Network (DOJ Office of Justice Programs) |
ojp.gov/vrn (202) 307-5933 |
Federal initiative providing training, technical assistance, and resources to cities implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce violent crime. Partners with cities on focused deterrence, hospital-based violence intervention, and community violence intervention programs that have demonstrated the largest reductions in violent crime. |
| Cure Violence Global |
cvg.org info@cvg.org |
International organization applying public health methods to violence prevention, training credible messengers to interrupt violent retaliations and change community norms around violence. Has documented violence reductions of 30-70% in cities that have implemented the Cure Violence model, demonstrating the effectiveness of community violence intervention in reducing gun violence and homicide. |
Section 6: Individuals Advocating to Improve Violent Crime
| Name, Title & Contact | Selected Publications on Violent Crime |
|---|---|
| David Kennedy, MPA Professor of Criminal Justice, John Jay College; Director, National Network for Safe Communities david.kennedy@jjay.cuny.edu |
(1) "Don't Shoot: One Man, a Street Fellowship, and the End of Violence in Inner-City America," Bloomsbury, 2011 — Documented the development and implementation of the Group Violence Intervention / focused deterrence strategy that has reduced violent crime in dozens of cities by 20-60%.. (2) "Deterrence and Crime Prevention: Reconsidering the Prospect of Sanction," Routledge, 2009 — Developed the theoretical and empirical case for focused deterrence as an alternative to mass incarceration for reducing violent crime, shifting emphasis from punishment to swift, certain consequences.. (3) "Old Wine in New Bottles: Policing and the Lessons of Pulling Levers," Policing, 2012 — Synthesized lessons from focused deterrence implementations across the U.S. and proposed the elements most essential to effective violent crime reduction programs.. |
| Lawrence W. Sherman, PhD Wolfson Professor of Criminology, University of Cambridge; Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland lws1000@cam.ac.uk |
(1) "Hot Spots of Predatory Crime: Routine Activities and the Criminology of Place," Criminology, 1989 — Introduced the concept of crime hot spots and demonstrated that a small proportion of addresses generate the majority of violent crime, establishing place-based policing as a core crime reduction strategy.. (2) "Evidence-Based Policing," Ideas in American Policing / Police Foundation, 1998 — Coined the term evidence-based policing and proposed a systematic approach to applying rigorous research to police practices, initiating the movement that has transformed how departments approach violent crime reduction.. (3) "Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Promising," National Institute of Justice, 1997 — Landmark review of crime prevention evidence commissioned by Congress, establishing the standard of scientific rigor for evaluating violence reduction programs and identifying hot spots policing and family interventions as most effective.. |
| Jens Ludwig, PhD Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago Harris School; Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab jludwig@uchicago.edu |
(1) "Gun Violence: The Real Costs," Oxford University Press, 2000 — Comprehensive economic and social analysis of gun violence costs and the most cost-effective policy interventions for reducing it, including gun control, policing, and social service investment.. (2) "Punishment and Crime: The Long-Run Implications of Incarceration for Crime," Criminology and Public Policy, 2010 — Analyzed the declining marginal deterrence benefits of mass incarceration and argued for evidence-based alternatives for violent crime reduction with higher returns.. (3) "A Randomized Trial of the Check and Connect Dropout Prevention Program," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 2018 — Demonstrated that educational engagement programs for at-risk youth prevent future violent crime, providing evidence for social investment as a crime reduction strategy.. |
| Philip J. Cook, PhD ITT/Terry Sanford Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Economics, Duke University pjcook@duke.edu |
(1) "Gun Violence: The Real Costs," Oxford University Press, 2000 — Co-authored definitive analysis of the true costs of gun violence including medical, criminal justice, and quality-of-life impacts, providing the foundation for gun violence as a public health priority.. (2) "The Technology of Personal Violence," Crime and Justice: An Annual Review, 1991 — Seminal analysis showing that weapon lethality — especially firearm availability — is a primary determinant of whether violent incidents result in death, making gun policy central to homicide reduction.. (3) "Robbery Violence," Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 1987 — Documented how robbery patterns and deterrence interact to determine violent crime rates, informing patrol allocation and focused deterrence policies for violence reduction.. |
| Alex Piquero, PhD Chairperson and Professor of Sociology, University of Miami; Former Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics apiquero@miami.edu |
(1) "Life-Course Criminology and its Lessons for Policy," Justice Quarterly, 2015 — Synthesized life-course criminological research showing that intervention in early childhood and adolescence reduces violent criminal involvement across the life course, supporting prevention investment.. (2) "A Synthesis of Research on the Effectiveness of the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study," Justice Quarterly, 2019 — Meta-analysis of early intervention programs for at-risk youth showing sustained reductions in adult violent offending through investments in youth development.. (3) "Self-Control and Criminal Career Dimensions," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 2005 — Documented the role of self-control in violent criminal careers and identified the developmental interventions most effective at building self-control and reducing adult violence.. |
| Tracey Meares, JD Walton Hale Hamilton Professor of Law, Yale Law School; Founding Director, Justice Collaboratory tracey.meares@yale.edu |
(1) "Legitimacy and Policing," St. Louis University Law Journal, 2010 — Applied procedural justice theory to policing, arguing that police legitimacy — earned through fair treatment — reduces violent crime by increasing community cooperation and voluntary compliance with the law.. (2) "Policing: A Public Good Gone Bad," Boston Review, 2017 — Analyzed the conditions under which aggressive policing strategies backfire and proposed legitimacy-building community policing as a more effective long-run violent crime reduction approach.. (3) "The Path Forward: Improving the Dynamics of Community-Police Relationships to Achieve Meaningful Police Reform," University of Chicago Law Review, 2017 — Proposed specific reforms to police-community relations — including civilian oversight and procedural justice training — that increase legitimacy and thus voluntary compliance and crime reduction.. |
| Sonja B. Starr, JD Julius Kreeger Professor of Law and Criminology, University of Chicago Law School sstarr@uchicago.edu |
(1) "Estimating Gender Disparities in Federal Criminal Cases," American Law and Economics Review, 2015 — Documented large and unexplained gender disparities in federal criminal sentencing and their implications for incarceration policy as a crime control tool.. (2) "Evidence-Based Sentencing and the Scientific Rationalization of Discrimination," Stanford Law Review, 2014 — Critiqued the use of recidivism prediction algorithms in sentencing and argued for evidence-based alternatives to incarceration for reducing violent crime without racial disparities.. (3) "Racial Disparity in Federal Criminal Charging and Its Sentencing Consequences," University of Michigan Law and Economics Research Paper, 2012 — Documented how racial disparities in federal charging decisions produce sentencing disparities, informing reforms to reduce bias in the criminal justice system's approach to violent crime.. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the United States rank globally for violent crime?
The United States ranked 129th out of 163 countries in the 2023 Global Peace Index, with the FBI reporting approximately 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. This places the U.S. far outside the top 35 safest nations globally.
What factors contribute to high violent crime rates in the United States?
Key contributing factors include approximately 120 guns per 100 civilians, a Gini inequality coefficient of 0.41, high urban poverty rates, systemic disparities in the criminal justice system, underfunded mental health services, and fragmented law enforcement policies across thousands of jurisdictions.
What has Iceland done to achieve one of the world's lowest violent crime rates?
Iceland uses the evidence-based Planet Youth prevention model to reduce youth delinquency, provides universal free mental health services, maintains strong social welfare programs, and enforces strict firearm licensing requiring medical certificates and written exams. Their community policing model trains officers in conflict resolution and social work.
How does Ireland reduce violent crime through community-based approaches?
Ireland's national police service, An Garda Síochána, uses Community Policing Forums to connect officers with local communities to address root causes of crime. The government also funds Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces through the Department of Health to tackle substance-related crime drivers.
Has Iceland's youth crime prevention model been adopted by other countries?
Yes. The Icelandic Prevention Model, known as Planet Youth and developed by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, has been successfully replicated in over 35 countries. It focuses on organizing structured youth activities to reduce substance abuse and juvenile delinquency.
Where can I find verified data on global and U.S. violent crime statistics?
Reliable sources include the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program at ucr.fbi.gov, the Institute for Economics and Peace Global Peace Index at visionofhumanity.org, the Gallup World Poll at gallup.com, and the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime statistics at dataunodc.un.org.
About the Author
Ronald Bonfilio has devoted his career to public service spanning more than five decades. His service began with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, where he conducted medical laboratory research at Fort Detrick and at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He subsequently held a distinguished series of federal positions, including roles with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Vietnam), the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the U.S. State Department (Iraq), where he served as a Senior Economic Advisor and Agricultural Advisor. He also served 15 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a Program Analyst and Auditor.
Ronald Bonfilio holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and degrees in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former Certified Public Accountant.