In response to persistent complaints from residents in 10 communities across Washington, DC, stemming from over 5,200 criminal offenses in 15 months, the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG) took legal action against the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) in a first of its kind lawsuit.
Background:
Residents had repeatedly warned the DCHA about the alarming levels of criminal activity in their neighborhoods. The OAG filed a lawsuit on behalf of the residents, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the safety concerns and protect the well-being of the community.
Crime Reduction Strategies:
In response to the legal action, the DCHA implemented a series of innovative crime reduction strategies and incorporating Verbosity’s advanced patrol technology. These measures aimed not only to comply with the OAG settlement, but also to create a safer environment for the residents.
1. Enhanced Patrols with Verbosity’s Technology:
The DCHA, under the leadership of Police Chief Joel Maupin, significantly increased patrols in the identified communities. These patrols were strategically supported by Verbosity’s innovative compliance technology, providing real-time data and analytics to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts. The technology allowed leadership to disrupt crime patterns, identify and patrol hotspots, and make data-driven decisions.
2. Impact on Crime Measurement with Verbosity’s Analytics:
To measure the effectiveness of their initiatives, the DCHA Police Department conducted a comprehensive crime impact assessment measuring 13 unique metrics. Violent crime dropped dramatically across the board within the designated areas, with no major spikes in arrests. Going a step further the DCHA PD measured the areas within a mere block outside of the boundaries of the communities Verbosity’ system was deployed and the difference in the violent crime drop was -50 points – further highlighting the impact of the technology.
3. Continuous Disruption Enabled by Verbosity:
The success in crime reduction was attributed to the continuous disruption caused by the enhanced patrols, supported by Verbosity’s technology. Criminals found it increasingly challenging to operate in areas that were once considered safe havens. The community noticed a significant difference in the reduction of criminal activities within the patrol boundaries compared to areas outside these zones, thanks to the insights provided by Verbosity’s patrol and compliance technology.
Community Engagement with Verbosity’s Reporting and Insights:
To keep residents informed and reassured, Chief Joel Maupin and his team used Verbosity’s reporting features to regularly provide updates on patrol levels and the impact on crime. This proactive approach not only helped maintain compliance with the OAG settlement, but also fostered a sense of security among residents. The increased presence of DCHA officers around the clock, supported by Verbosity’s reporting tools, contributed to building trust and confidence within the communities.
Results:
The collaborative efforts between the OAG and the DCHA, augmented by Verbosity’s innovative compliance technology, resulted in a substantial reduction in violent crime by 67.7%. The measurable impact on crime within the enhanced patrol boundaries, coupled with effective communication and community engagement using Verbosity’s reporting tools, have created a safer environment for residents.
