Las Vegas Smart Policing Project

The Smart Policing Initiative seeks to build upon the concepts of offender-based and place-based policing and broaden the knowledge of effective policing strategies. The most convincing research demonstrates that place-based or hotspot policing reduces violent crime and neighborhood disorder. This initiative addresses the need for effective policing that requires a tightly focused, collaborative approach that is measurable, based on sound, detailed analysis and includes policies and procedures for accountability. This grant program seeks to build upon data-driven, evidence-based policing by encouraging state and local law enforcement agencies to develop effective, economical, and innovative responses to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime within their jurisdictions.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department will use funds to address the clustering of serious crimes in neighborhoods through a place-based police saturation effort. Analysis of crime data will be completed to identify four locations, and a team of highly trained police officers will be assigned to each of the areas. Calls for service and incident report data will be measured to determine the effects of saturation details on targeted locations and surrounding neighborhoods. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas will serve as a research partner, assisting with program analysis and development.

NCA/NCF