The City of Salisbury Police Department (SPD) has invited the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Diagnostic Center to assist with determining the nature and extent of persistence crime issues and identify evidence-based solutions to address violent crime, opioid use and community engagement. The Diagnostic Center will work with the SPD and local stakeholders to develop a strategic plan to enhance the department’s capacity to respond to public safety concerns.
Specifically, while in Salisbury, the OJP will conduct its upcoming research in developing strategies to enhance the community’s response to: (1) increases in violent crime (specifically shootings) and opioid overdoses, (2) low clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings and (3) community engagement with the SPD.
“This is an exciting endeavor for the City and Police Department, and a way for the Salisbury community to see the benefit of real-time suggestions to achieve goals that they set to reduce crime and fear of crime,” said SPD Chief Jerry Stokes. “This isn’t a program where we are told what to do, this is a program where we get help finding solutions and determining a track to achieving those result based on data and specialized assistance. I am certain that our community is ready to embark on this effort and our neighborhoods will see great benefit from the assistance the OJP will provide.”
The U.S. DOJ, OJP Diagnostic Center is a resource designed to provide customized training and technical assistance (TTA) by working with law enforcement and communities to reduce violent and other serious crimes. The OJP Diagnostic Center helps communities invest in what works by bridging the gap between data and justice policy at the state, local and tribal levels. OJP Diagnostic Center TTA builds community capacity for data-driven decision-making, ensuring that limited local resources are invested wisely and federal assets are leveraged where the are needed most. By maximizing the impact of available resources, the OJP Diagnostic Center helps communities reap better public safety outcomes.
For more information, visit www.ojpdiagnosticcenter.org or www.salisburync.gov.