University of Scranton previews new center for crime analysis
SCRANTON (WOLF-TV) — In a world increasingly more challenging for criminal justice, one university is adding another dimension to their program by putting cold, hard data at the center.
"We know the community is wanting to work with us, and wanting to improve their practice, but we didn't have the structure in place to institutionalize those relationships. The center helps to fill that need,"said Dr. Michael Jenkins, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Executive Director for the new center said.
The new Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime at the University of Scranton will allow students to tack on a minor in crime analysis, with the university hoping that there will either be a certificate, track, or a minor in criminal investigations down the road.
"We're also hoping to offer our criminal justice and social service agencies the ability to send people to us to get different certificates over summer courses or maybe weekend services here at the university," Dr. Jenkins added.
They'll be partnering with community members and local law enforcement so students can use real-life data in the classroom.
"It's gonna benefit the citizens, because if we can lower crime rates by 1%, we're doing something," said Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano.
Part of this analysis includes designation of what they call "hot spots", meaning highlighting streets with higher rates of crime to potentially allocate more resources there.
Dr. Ismail Onat is on faculty with the department and will serve as Chief Analyst for the center. He says this data analysis will help combat policing policies based on bias or political views, and instead promote regulations based on real data and the real needs of communities
"Even if you have some kind of preconceptions about the policing things, then the results of the data analysis might change your view or look into the situations," he said.
The new program will have courses open for students to take this upcoming fall.
