Tampa's Smart Policing Initiative

Firearm related violence is an ongoing problem in the City of Tampa (pop. 387,050). In 2019, Tampa had a goal to reduce violent crime by 5-10% over a three-year period. Unfortunately, in 2020, violent crime with a firearm rose by 67% compared to 2019. What was more alarming was the 110% increase in non-fatal shootings from 2019 to 2020 and 28% increase in non-fatal shootings from 2020 to 2021. Most of these incidents were directly related to a sizable increase in narcotics activity attributed to the escalating opioid crisis, price reductions in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and the return of open-air drug markets. There is also a significant correlation between illicit narcotics sales and the rise of violent gang activity. With funding from this solicitation, TPD aims to achieve the following: Objective 1) Utilize AI-based technology to improve understanding of drivers of crime and locations of criminal activity. Objective 2) Increase and improve the use of data through the CGIC as it relates to investigations into NIBIN leads and the subsequent cases cleared because of those leads. Objective 3) Increase information sharing through technology with the State Attorney's Office, ATF, FBI, DEA, surrounding jurisdictions, and other case-relevant law enforcement agencies. Florida International University is the selected research partner.