Criminology | Penn Today

Mass shooters are getting younger

The mass-shootings work of Richard Berk of the School of Arts & Sciences is cited.

A tall clear glass of water filled almost to the top on a dark-colored countertop. Nature is obvious but blurred in the background.

Well water, lead, and the link to juvenile delinquency

Research from Penn and other universities found that, compared to children with municipal water, those relying on private wells in the U.S. had a 21% higher risk of being reported for any delinquency and a 38% increased risk of being reported for serious delinquency after age 14.

A wooden elevated path in the woods with two choices for directions to take.

Diversion programs reduce criminal justice system footprint

Research from Penn criminologists and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office found that such programs increase expungement rates and lower reconviction rates, leading to a net-narrowing effect overall.

How we tracked the pay of 24,000 cops

Aaron Chalfin of the School of Arts & Sciences said a new project documenting police pay in New Jersey contains “some pretty incredible data.”

A person wearing a hoodie and a backpack, hands up, in front of headlights shining in the person's direction.

Who’s at greatest risk to encounter the criminal legal system in the U.S.?

New work from Penn, Princeton, and Washington University in St. Louis finds that for young people of color, contact with the system begins early and is incredibly widespread.

The white DA, the Black ex-mayor and a harsh debate on crime

Aaron Chalfin of the School of Arts & Sciences said the pandemic created conditions that may have exacerbated violent crime rates. “It’s like a perfect storm — schools close, community centers close, there’s all this hardship and stress and uncertainty,” he said.

Can green spaces help curb Philly's gun violence problem?

John MacDonald of the School of Arts & Sciences was interviewed about curbing gun violence in Philadelphia by cleaning up neighborhoods and planting trees. “The built environment of places shapes crime. When areas are clean, where there’s less trash, where there’s less physical disorder, residents are more likely to engage with each other,” he said.

A person wearing a "POLICE" vest and a walkie talkie, standing in front of a blurry police car with its lights flashing.

When police forces grow, homicides drop and low-level arrests increase

Research from Penn criminologist Aaron Chalfin and others found that an additional 10 to 17 officers prevented one homicide annually, but each extra officer added up to 22 arrests for crimes like drug possession.

Almost 500 people dead: Philadelphia is about to set a grim record for homicides

Aaron Chalfin of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about the rise in gun violence that accompanied the pandemic. “So many things changed at the same time, and that means that it’s very hard to disentangle what the drivers are,” he said. “I don’t know that we ever fully will.”

Portland among US cities adding funds to police departments

Aaron Chalfin of the School of Arts & Sciences said crime rates can fluctuate based on police department budgets and officer numbers, as well as shifts in the economy, infrastructure, and community programming. There are “a million things that drive crime up and down,” he said.

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