Homicides plummet in Richmond, once considered among the most dangerous cities in U.S.

Barry Krisberg and Franklin Zimring quoted in Contra Costa Times, December 24, 2012

“Richmond is doing a lot of things right, and that’s helping them buck a trend,” said Barry Krisberg, research and policy director at the Earl Warren Institute at UC Berkeley School of Law. “Years ago, Richmond committed itself to an evidence-based, comprehensive strategy to reduce violence, and we’re seeing the payoff.”

“You want to be cautious when pinning the tail on the causes for declines in Richmond homicides,” said UC Berkeley criminologist Franklin Zimring. “They are doing community-based policing, but they are also doing intensive policing, with a lot of cops on the streets.”