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In this conversation, Jens Ludwig discusses his extensive research on gun violence, particularly focusing on youth violence and the role of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. He emphasizes the importance of using data and behavioral science to understand and address the root causes of gun violence. Ludwig also critiques media representations of gun violence and shares insights from his book 'Unforgiving Places,' which explores the complexities of gun violence in America. He offers practical policy recommendations for reducing gun violence, highlighting the need for community engagement and innovative intervention programs. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The foundations of Jens Ludwig's background in crime research, which began in the late 1980s during the crack cocaine epidemic.The important insights gained from the ‘Moving to Opportunity’ project.The unique role the University of Chicago Crime Lab plays as an R&D partner to government agencies.How government actions in crime prevention lack evidence-based support.What drives Youth violence in premeditated actions?How the 'Becoming a Man' program significantly reduces violent crime arrests among participants.Jens’ perspectives on media coverage and the misrepresentation of the nature of gun violence.How gun violence is a public health crisis, particularly affecting young people.Community engagement is crucial for effective violence prevention strategies.How practical, low-cost interventions can significantly reduce violence rates.Jens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and Pritzker director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and author of “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence” (University of Chicago Press, 2025). Resources: Learn More: Jens Ludwig’s Website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this engaging conversation, criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe shares his unique journey from a police officer to an academic specializing in policing. He discusses the importance of evidence-based policing, the challenges of communicating research to practitioners, and the evolving perceptions of crime trends in the U.S. Ratcliffe also highlights significant studies, including the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment and his own Philadelphia Foot Patrol Experiment, which have shaped modern policing strategies.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Jerry Ratcliffe transitioned from policing to academia.How evidence-based policing is important to modern law enforcement.The challenge of communicating research findings to practitioners.Key revelations from the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment. Crime reduction data points from the Foot Patrols in Philadelphia.Why year-to-date crime comparisons can be misleading and should be avoided in early months.How the public's perception of crime trends is often influenced by media narratives.Reasons why short-form video content is an effective way to engage with the public about crime research.Ways academics need to improve their communication skills to reach non-academic audiences.Why the future of policing relies on collaboration between researchers and practitioners.Jerry Ratcliffe is a former British police officer, college professor, and host of the Reducing Crime podcast. He works with police agencies around the world on crime reduction, leadership, and criminal intelligence strategy.  ​After an ice-climbing accident ended a decade-long career with London’s Metropolitan Police, he earned a first class honors degree and a PhD from the University of Nottingham. He has published over 100 research articles and eleven books, including “Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders” and "Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics". Ratcliffe has been a research adviser to the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Commissioner, an instructor for the ATF intelligence academy, and he is a scientific advisor to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a Professor of Practice and the Faculty Director of the Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership in the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania. Resources: Learn More: Jerry Ratcliffe's WebsiteFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this conversation, Dara Lind discusses her extensive background in immigration policy and reporting, the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, and the often misunderstood relationship between immigration and crime. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of immigration policy, the judicial responses to enforcement actions, and the public's perception of immigrants in relation to crime. Lind also shares her personal journey into immigration advocacy and the challenges of effectively communicating these issues in today's media landscape. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Immigration policy often leads to unanticipated consequences.The role of the federal judiciary in immigration enforcement.What statistics truly say about crimes committed by native-born citizens v. crimes committed by immigrants?How the chilling effect on immigrant communities leads to underreporting of crime.Do public perceptions often conflate visible disorder with crime?How individual tragic cases can skew the broader immigration debate.The role of the media in overshadowing positive narratives about immigrants.Rebuilding trust in immigrant communities is a significant challenge for law enforcement.How the attention economy complicates the storytelling around immigration issues.Dara Lind's personal journey into immigration advocacy began with a focus on education.Dara Lind is an immigration policy expert and Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council. Lind has extensive reporting experience covering immigration policy for ProPublica and Vox and co-hosting the Vox podcast “The Weeds.” She has covered immigration in some form since the end of the George W. Bush administration. Resources: Learn More about Dara Lind: Dara Lind’s WebsiteFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

Today, Jeff talks with Atlantic County prosecutor William Reynolds about building an efficient, effective, and fair criminal justice system in one of the most interesting places in America: Atlantic City. This conversation explores the significant reduction in homicides in Atlantic County from 2012 to 2025, highlighting the strategies and reforms implemented to achieve this decline. The discussion delves into the factors contributing to the decrease in crime rates and the implications for public safety and law enforcement. William E. Reynolds was nominated to be the Atlantic County Prosecutor by Governor Philip Murphy on May 16, 2022. Assumed the role on June 6, 2022 and was confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey State Senate on August 8, 2022 for a 5 year term. Bill is a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, where he is raising his twin 16 year old boys. Bill's persistence and relentless pursuit of justice is the driving force of his decision making without fear or favor.  Resources: Learn More about William ReynoldsFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this engaging conversation, former Bureau of Justice Statistics director Alex Piquero shares his journey from playing in a rock band to becoming a prominent figure in criminology and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. We chat about the importance of crime data, particularly the National Crime Victimization Survey, and the challenges of public perception versus reality in crime trends. Piquero also highlights the intersection of sports and crime research, emphasizing the need for accurate data collection and communication. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Alex Piquero's journey into criminology was serendipitous.What is the role of the Bureau of Justice Statistics in crime data collection?Top revelations from the National Crime Victimization Survey.How all data has inherent weaknesses that must be acknowledged.What are the implications of crime data reporting in the US not being mandatory? The importance of visual communication in crime data reporting.Public perception of crime often differs from statistical reality.What is an essential point of balancing data with human stories in discussions about crime?The interesting trends revealed in Piquero's research, which intersects sports and crime.How Alex views the future of crime data collection with potential budget cuts looming.Alex R. Piquero is Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology and Arts & Sciences Distinguished Scholar the University of Miami and previously served as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one of the nation’s thirteen federal statistical agencies (appointed by President Biden, June 2022). Dr. Piquero is a nationally and internationally recognized criminologist with more than 26 years of experience. Over the course of his career, Dr. Piquero has given congressional testimony on evidence-based crime prevention practices and has provided counsel and support to several local, state, national and international criminal justice agencies and elected leaders. His expertise ranges from criminal careers to criminal justice policy and crime prevention to the intersection of race/ethnicity and crime, with a focus on quantitative methodology. Dr. Piquero has published over 500 scholarly articles and several books and is among the most highly cited criminologists in the world. He also served as editor of the Journal of Quantitative Criminology and the Justice Evaluation Journal. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. In 2019, he received the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Bruce Smith Sr. Award for outstanding contributions to criminal justice, and in 2020, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Division of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology of the American Society of Criminology. Resources: Learn More about Alex Piquero Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

This was a banner year for the Jeff-alytics universe and it's time to recap it! In this episode, host Jeff Asher reflects on three conversations this year that really resonated. This episode highlights the gap between public perception and actual data and emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives in shaping our understanding of crime and public safety. The episode features insights from various guests–Michael Lewis (Storyteller), Larry Krasner (District Attorney), and Susan Parker (Researcher). These conversations focus on points like the personal impacts of crime, the narratives that shape public opinion, and the infrastructure behind crime data collection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What does the data say, despite the “doom and gloom” crime coverage? How understanding crime requires looking beyond just the numbers.How types of personal experiences shape our understanding of crime and justice.Can language reinforce stigma or restore dignity?The aspects Policymakers often miss when faced with realities of justice-impacted families.What infrastructure behind crime data is crucial for accurate understanding?How crime reporting in the US is not mandatory and leads to gaps in data.The importance of acknowledging the imperfections of data in communicating crime trends.What should be considered when discussing the human impact behind data points?How telling stories from the inside out can change public perception.Resources: Jeff Asher SubstackJeff Asher LinkedInFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this conversation, Jeff Asher and Ifetayo Harvey explore the misconceptions surrounding crime trends, the importance of context in data interpretation, and the stigma associated with drug use. They discuss the need for policymakers to experience the realities of justice-impacted families and the significance of using person-first language. Additionally, Jeff and Ifetayo highlight gaps in data collection within the justice system, particularly regarding health outcomes and the backgrounds of legal professionals. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How crime trends are often misunderstood across various demographics.Why context is crucial for accurate data interpretation.Learn about the root causes for racial disparities in arrests.Are policymakers missing experience in challenges faced by justice-impacted families?The perpetuation stigma in our use of language in crime data discussion.How person-first language is essential in discussions about drug use.Is data collection in the justice system inadequate?How health outcomes of incarcerated individuals need more attention.Learn how the legal profession often reflects socioeconomic disparities.How understanding the backgrounds of legal professionals can inform justice reform. Guest Bio: Ifetayo Harvey is a writer, advocate, and speaker, and the founder and executive director of the POC Psychedelic Collective. She began her writing career as a monthly contributor to her hometown newspaper, The Post and Courier, and later interned with the Drug Policy Alliance, where she spoke at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference about growing up with an incarcerated parent. Her story has since been featured on National Public Radio, and her work spans articles, book contributions, and public speaking focused on parental incarceration, drug policy, and the war on drugs. Through the POC Psychedelic Collective, Ifetayo has built a platform centering people of color in education and community around psychedelics. Outside of her advocacy work, she is a lifelong musician, photographer, soap maker, and needle arts enthusiast. Resources: Ifetayo Harvey’s website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this episode of the Jeff-alytics Podcast, Paul Krugman discusses his extensive background in economics, the challenges of communicating economic realities, and the discrepancies between public perception and actual data. He emphasizes the role of media in shaping these perceptions and the impact of social media on public trust in data. Krugman also reflects on the importance of success stories in economics and crime reporting, the changing media landscape, and shares his experiences with the Nobel Prize. He concludes by expressing his current focus on his Substack and the balance between work and enjoying life.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Paul Krugman’s long history in economics, starting from academic research to public writingHow public perception of the economy often diverges from actual economic dataThe truth that stands between people's personal experiences and accurate reflection of the overall economyThe role the media contributes to shaping perceptions of crime and the economyThe impact of social media on the overall trust in dataHow success stories in economics are often underreported in the mediaWhy the changing media landscape offers both challenges and opportunities for communicationThe process and impact of the Nobel Prize experience The importance of communicating complex economic realities effectively Guest Bio: Paul Krugman is a research professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, a core faculty member at the Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality, and a LIS senior scholar. He previously taught at MIT, Stanford, and Princeton. He is the author or co-author of many academic papers and numerous books aimed at both professional and general audiences, including Market Structure and Foreign Trade, Geography and Trade, The Return of Depression Economics, and Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future. In recognition of his work on international trade and economic geography, Krugman received the John Bates Clark award of the American Economic Association in 1991, the Prince of Asturias award for social sciences in 2004, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2008. For nearly 25 years, he was an op-ed columnist and commentator for The New York Times. In December 2024, he reintroduced his Substack newsletter. Link & Resources: Learn more about Paul Krugman on the CUNY Graduate Center website.Follow Paul’s Substack for economic insights and more. Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_podcast/

In this episode of the Jeff-alytics Podcast, Ganesha Martin, Esq. shares her unique journey from law to policing, reflecting on her experiences in Baltimore and Minneapolis. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in police reform, emphasizing community engagement, the role of consent decrees, and the importance of addressing public perceptions of crime and safety. Ganesha also highlights the need for innovative solutions, investment in resources, and storytelling as tools to create meaningful change in policing. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Ganesha Martin transitioned unexpectedly from law to policing and the role she played in Baltimore during a time of crisis and community unrest.Why Minneapolis is unique in working under both a state settlement agreement and a federal consent decree.What does it look like to create innovative, practical reform that speaks to the experience of police and community? How public perceptions of police and crime, shaped by media and personal experiences, often overshadow statistical improvements in crime rates.What role do consent decrees play in police departments, and how are they used to improve policing?Why investment in technology, training, and community engagement is crucial for effective policing.Guest Bio: Ganesha Martin, Esq. is a human-centered public safety expert and Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing for the Minneapolis Police Department. She has led major reform efforts in Minneapolis, Baltimore, and nationally, bridging the needs of communities and the officers who serve them. Ganesha is widely sought after for her work on consent decrees, community engagement, and reimagining what just and effective public safety can look like. Resources & Links: Learn more about Ganesha Martin on her website: GaneshaMartin.com Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_podcast/

In this conversation, Dr. Susan Parker discusses her work at the intersection of health and crime, focusing on NIBRS (the National Incident-Based Reporting System) and its implications for understanding crime data. She explains the complexities of crime reporting, the innovative uses of NIBRS data in research, and the challenges agencies face in implementing this new system. The discussion also touches on the future of NIBRS, the importance of non-fatal shooting data, and how to effectively communicate crime trends to the public. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How does quantitative social science intersect with both health and crime?What is NIBRS, how does it differ from previous crime reporting systems, and why was it adopted nationwide?How does the crime reporting process work, and how has NIBRS data been used to uncover trends like gun thefts and non-fatal shootings?What challenges do agencies face when implementing NIBRS, and how do resource constraints and training needs affect reporting?How can NIBRS data reveal changes in crime trends after policy shifts, and why is timely reporting essential for accuracy?How can crime data be effectively communicated to the public, and why is accessibility and engagement so important? Guest Bio: Dr. Susan Parker is a Research Assistant Professor in the Buehler Center for Health Policy & Economics in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University. Her research applies quantitative methods to crime and health research questions and data. Website: Learn more about Dr. Susan Parker on her website: Susan T. Parker. Resources: Azrael, D., & Parker, S. T. (2025). Trends in gun theft. Council on Criminal Justice. https://counciloncj.org/trends-in-gun-theft/ National Bureau of Economic Research. (2025, October 10). The economics of firearm markets, crime, and gun violence, fall 2025. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/conferences/economics-firearm-markets-crime-and-gun-violence-fall-2025 Parker, S. T. (2022, May 2). Measuring gun violence in police data sources: Transitioning to NIBRS. Injury Epidemiology, 9, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-022-00376-8 Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this conversation, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner discusses his journey to office, the innovative use of data in criminal justice, and the importance of community engagement. He emphasizes the need for transparency, the role of prevention and forensics in reducing crime, and the challenges posed by political narratives around crime.  Krasner shares insights on how his office has adapted policies based on data and the importance of storytelling in communicating success. He also addresses the future goals for his office and offers advice to other district attorneys on effective communication and engagement with the media. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What has Larry Krasner’s experience as the District Attorney of Philadelphia been like?How is the Philadelphia DA’s office embracing data to communicate their approach to criminal justice?The unlikely candidate Krasner hired to lead the DA’s data labHow is transparency in data crucial, regardless of data outcomes?What is the impact of effective communication on the residents of Philadelphia’s perceptions of crime?How can investing in prevention become a key factor in crime reduction?What aspect of criminal investigation plays a significant role in solving crimes and ensuring justice?How is contextualizing crime data essential for public understanding?What policies has Krasner's office adapted policies based on data findings?How is community engagement vital for effective crime reduction strategies?Guest Bio:  Larry Krasner, born in 1961 in St. Louis to a World War II veteran and a minister, earned degrees from the University of Chicago and Stanford Law School, where he focused on social justice rather than corporate law. After graduating in 1987, he returned to Philadelphia to work as a public defender and later founded his own criminal defense and civil rights practice in 1993. Over his career, he has tried thousands of cases, filed more than 75 civil rights lawsuits against police misconduct, and defended activists and marginalized communities at little to no cost. As Philadelphia’s District Attorney, Larry has prioritized justice reform—supporting victims, exonerating the innocent, reducing incarceration, holding police accountable, and addressing the root causes of crime. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife of 37 years. Resources & Links: Learn more about Larry Krasner at KrasnerforDA.com. Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_podcast/

In this conversation, Whitney Westerfield shares his journey as a state senator and his insights into criminal justice policy. He discusses the importance of data in shaping legislation, his experiences as a prosecutor, and the challenges of balancing victim needs with effective criminal justice reform.  Whitney reflects on his proudest legislative achievements, including juvenile justice reform and victim rights, while also addressing the complexities of voting against party lines. The discussion highlights the need for accurate crime data and the public's perception of crime trends, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and informed policymaking. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What are Whitney Westerfield’s reflections as a former state senator and prosecutor in criminal justice?What is the importance of data in shaping effective policies?What invaluable insights did Whitney gain to help him understand the justice system?How is data-driven decision-making important in the legislative voting process?What are complex challenges to the criminal justice reform process?How can public perception often misrepresents crime trends?What types of advocacy are crucial for informed policymaking?What is the impact of building relationships with legislators?What is Whitney’s vision for his advocacy work in criminal justice reform?Guest Bio:  Whitney is a former state senator, judiciary chairman, and prosecutor.  He works in criminal justice policy through his firm Catalyst Collaborative, and serves as the Director of Legal and Government Affairs for LifeSkills, Inc., in Kentucky.  When he’s not working, Whitney and his wife, Amanda, have their hands full with five children, including one-year-old triplets! Resources & Links: Whitney Westerfield’s Website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

In this episode, Jeff Asher and Anna Harvey discuss the Jail Data Initiative, a groundbreaking project improving the way we collect and analyze data on jail populations.  Anna explains the challenges of data collection, why understanding jail populations is essential for meaningful reform, and how accurate data can shape criminal justice policies. The discussion also explores the need for stronger data-sharing agreements and the exciting potential for future research to inform evidence-based change. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How the Jail Data Initiative uses daily detainee-level data to deliver unprecedented insights into jail populations.How the project, launched in September 2019, evolved into a robust population dashboard used by researchers and policymakers.The population dashboard enables users to filter jail data by demographics, geography, and time frame to uncover trends, as well as request permission to access an additional database containing daily, individual-level data.How developing a common data-sharing framework could enhance collaboration among agencies and advance research on the criminal justice system. Why accurate data is critical in evaluating policy reforms and driving improvements in public safety. Guest Bio: Anna Harvey is Professor of Politics, Affiliated Professor of Data Science, Affiliated Professor of Law, and the founder and Director of the Public Safety Lab at New York University. The Public Safety Lab’s projects include the Jail Data Initiative, a large-scale effort to collect daily individual-level jail records in over 1,000 local jails in the United States, and the Prosecutorial Reform Initiative, a collaborative effort with several district attorneys’ offices to develop more effective prosecutorial policies. Professor Harvey is the author of three books and numerous peer-reviewed articles, including work on misdemeanor prosecution, crime victimization, fiscal incentives in law enforcement, and voting from jail. Resources & Links: Learn more about Anna Harvey at https://wp.nyu.edu/annaharvey/Learn more about the Jail Data Initiative at https://publicsafetylab.orgVisit the Jail Data Initiative population dashboard at https://jaildatainitiative.org Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_podcast/

In this conversation, Jeff Asher and writer Philip Bump discuss the disconnect between public perception of crime and real crime statistics. Philip explores how media narratives, political agendas, and societal fears shape these perceptions, often leading to the misconception that crime is rising even when data shows otherwise. Together, they explore the role of technology and social media in amplifying these narratives, as well as the challenges faced by policymakers and the media in addressing public concerns.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why do Americans often believe crime is rising, even when data shows otherwise?How media stories, political agendas, personal anecdotes, and isolated incidents amplify fear of crime beyond what the data shows.Can crime data and individual tragedies be presented together in a way that feels both accurate and meaningful?How do emerging technologies, like video surveillance apps, online neighborhood groups, and cell phone footage, shape audiences’ perceptions of crime beyond traditional media?How can gut sentiment about topics like immigration or trade deficits conflict with hard data, and how does this impact politics?Why do individuals tend to favor news that aligns with their personal views on crime, and is there a solution for traditional media to combat misinformation and personal biases? How understanding the motivations behind crime narratives can provide a deeper context and more balanced conversations.Guest Bio:  Philip Bump is former columnist for The Washington Post. As one of the paper's most read writers, he focused on the data behind polls and political rhetoric. He also writes a weekly newsletter, "How To Read This Chart." Resources & Links: How To Read This Chart newsletterPhillip Bump’s website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_podcast/

In this episode, Jeff Asher speaks with Laura Arnold, founder and co-chair of Arnold Ventures, about the significant gap between crime data and public perception—and what it means for public policy. Laura shares her journey into philanthropy and how Arnold Ventures is working to drive data-driven, systemic solutions in the criminal justice system. Together, they explore the challenges of presenting data to advocates, the impact of perception on policy, and the need for a cultural shift in how communities engage with crime data. The conversation offers a vision of how evidence-based approaches can drive meaningful reform and solutions for building safer communities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The gap between crime data and public perception is significant; evidence-based policy is vital for effective criminal justice reform.How Laura and her husband’s passion for philanthropy, coupled with their interest in the criminal justice system, led to the launch of a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based policy solutions.How data-driven, unbiased research can guide conversations and lead to actionable, lasting solutions.Why community engagement is essential for reshaping perceptions about data and building trust within communities.How quality-of-life crimes shape public perceptions of safety and fuel misleading narratives.Laura’s vision for the future: how can we build a culture of evidence-based practices across policing, pre-trial, prisons, reintegration, and community supervision?Guest Bio: Laura Arnold is founder and co-chair of Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, Arnold Ventures is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity. Laura and her husband, John, first launched a charitable foundation in 2008. Their philanthropic focus has since expanded to cover areas such as education, criminal justice, health, infrastructure, and public finance, advocating for bipartisan policy reforms that will lead to lasting, scalable change. The Arnolds became signatories of the Giving Pledge in 2010. With an extensive, 15+-year history, Arnold Ventures has been one of the foremost results-oriented philanthropies in the United States. The philanthropy consists of more than 100 experts and leaders on a mission to understand and solve the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems. Prior to Arnold Ventures, Laura was executive vice president and general counsel for a global oil exploration company based in Houston. She is a founding partner of the REFORM Alliance, a national criminal justice advocacy organization dedicated to reducing the number of people needlessly ensnared in the revolving door of probation and parole, as well as the penalizing nature of fees and fines. She also serves on the Leadership Advisory Council for the Tsai Leadership Program at Yale Law School. Laura is a trustee emeritus for the Rice University Board of Trustees. She earned her law degree from Yale Law School, a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge, and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College. Laura was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She and John have three children and live in Houston. Resources & Links: Learn more about Arnold Ventures at www.arnoldventures.org Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @realtimecrimeindexYoutube: @Aggregated_RTCIWebsite: www.ahdatalytics.com/jeff-alytics_pod