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Criminology

A first-of-its-kind master’s program for police leaders
Aerial view of College Hall and Penn’s campus.

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A first-of-its-kind master’s program for police leaders

The new graduate degree from the Department of Criminology and the College of Liberal & Professional Studies will begin next fall. It aims to teach evidence-based research to foster more equitable practices.

From Omnia

Baltimore gave $61M — 10% — of its COVID funds to public safety. Where did it go?
Baltimore Sun

Baltimore gave $61M — 10% — of its COVID funds to public safety. Where did it go?

A study from the Crime and Justice Policy Lab at the School of Arts & Sciences estimates that Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy reduced homicides and shootings in the city’s western police district by about a quarter and reduced carjackings by about a third.

Airbnbs associated with more crime in London, new study shows
Police officers patrolling Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus in central London

“The fact that we still find an increase in crime despite Airbnb’s efforts reveals the severity of the predicament induced by the rise of home sharing,” says David Kirk, professor of criminology at Penn, who co-authored a study with University of Cambridge criminologist Charles C. Lanfear to study the impacts on crime of Airbnb lettings across London.

(Image: iStock/Paolo Paradiso)

Airbnbs associated with more crime in London, new study shows

Since its founding in 2008, the short-term homestay platform Airbnb has expanded to 100,000 cities in more than 220 countries, and, according to data from the company, 1.5 billion guests had stayed in Airbnb-listed properties through 2023.
Airbnb rentals ‘drive up crime rates’
The Telegraph

Airbnb rentals ‘drive up crime rates’

A study co-authored by David Kirk of the School of Arts & Sciences suggests that Airbnb’s crime mitigation measures aren’t working properly.

Want students to succeed? Give them safe homes
Philadelphia Citizen

Want students to succeed? Give them safe homes

A 2021 Penn study showed that home repairs in low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods led to a decrease in crime.

Positioned for Success
Taussia Boadi and Cheryl Nnadi pose on Penn's campus in front of College Hall, green grass and a huge tree.

Cheryl Nnadi (left) and Taussia Boadi (right) created Positioned for Success, a 2023 winner of Projects for Progress.

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Positioned for Success

The program, launched by recent College of Arts and Sciences grads Taussia Boadi and Cheryl Nnadi, was a 2023 Projects for Progress winner and provides academic support to middle school students affected by gun violence.

Kristen de Groot

Can more art equal less crime?
Maya Moritz giving a lecture in front of a mural.

Maya Moritz presenting at the 2024 Penn Grad Talks. She won first place in the Social Science category.

(Image: Brooke Sietinsons)

Can more art equal less crime?

Maya Moritz, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Criminology, is building the case, studying the effect of Philadelphia murals on the city’s crime rate.

From Omnia