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Crime scientist urges 'place network' approach after Austin pilot shows sharp drops in shootings
Summary
Dr. Tamara Harold described Place Network Investigations, a citywide, place-based strategy to disrupt crime networks and cited pilot results (including a 93% reduction in shootings at one site); presenters highlighted a local pilot at 900 East Breakers Lane and requested coordinated citywide response and long-term environmental investments.
Dr. Tamara Harold, a crime scientist who recently joined Texas State University, told the Public Safety Committee the city can reduce persistent violent crime by treating hot spots as networks of places — crime sites, convergent public settings, privately controlled comfort spaces, and commercial 'corrupting spots' — and coordinating citywide remedies.
Harold said the Place Network Investigations (PNI) approach combines focused policing, community engagement and environmental change; she cited evidence from national pilots and presented a local example at 900 East Breakers Lane, where investigators recorded fewer calls for service and a drop in shootings after a network-focused intervention.
"In one pilot we saw a 93 percent reduction in shootings post PNI implementation," Harold said, urging that responses pair police operations with city departments, economic development and community partners to create sustainable, long-term change rather than temporary displacement.
The presentation emphasized mapping the supporting places around crime sites — such as alleyways, comfort spaces and businesses that facilitate criminal activity — and then deploying a multi-agency, community-informed plan that can include targeted enforcement, nuisance abatement, traffic engineering, lighting and signature community projects. Harold described the strategy as maximizing scarce resources by focusing on the "j curve" where a small share of places generate most incidents.
Council members welcomed the overview and asked for a more in-depth follow-up session on prioritization, measurement and city coordination. Harold and APD staff said they would return with a deeper briefing and more operational detail.
The committee did not take formal action on PNI at the meeting; members asked staff to schedule an extended presentation and to provide evaluation metrics and timelines for the local pilot.
