EXTON, PA — CAP Index has teamed up with the University of Arkansas and the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) in a groundbreaking initiative to investigate crime trends and conduct firearm research in Dallas. By moving beyond conventional crime data, this collaboration seeks to understand how violence impacts mental health, education, and community well-being.
The project will not solely depend on police crime reports but will integrate a range of data sources to provide a fuller picture of violence in Dallas. This data triangulation approach aims to capture unreported incidents, offering a broader perspective on the factors contributing to local violence.
Leading the effort is CAP Index’s Research and Innovation team, with support from the University of Arkansas, which will involve students in practical research activities. The partnership merges academic insight with real-world application, ensuring that findings can be swiftly translated into actionable strategies.
“CPAL understands the importance of objective research and analysis in driving impactful initiatives. As they say, better data lead to better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes,” stated Dr. Grant Drawve, Vice President of the Research and Innovation Team at CAP Index. “Our collaboration enables us to provide a comprehensive view of the risk factors influencing youth and violence in Dallas.”
The research will explore personal exposure to violence through community surveys and assess safety perceptions from families. Beyond police data, the study will incorporate insights from public health, housing, and education sectors, creating a multidimensional understanding of violence.
Dr. Michael Nino, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas, emphasized, “This project represents a critical opportunity to understand violence through a broader, interdisciplinary lens. By incorporating insights from sociology, criminology, and other fields, we can offer more informed solutions.”
Highlighting the project’s focus on the youth, Dr. Casey Harris, Director of Research and Innovation at CAP Index, remarked, “Children are often the most vulnerable to the lasting impacts of violence. By leveraging our data and place-based analysis, we aim to uncover how location influences crime and its effect on youth, providing critical insights to create safer environments.”
This initiative stands as a significant step towards understanding and mitigating the impacts of violence in Dallas, with potential implications for cities nationwide.
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