Data-Informed Community Engagement for Safer Communities
The Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC) seeks to democratize access to data and place-based analysis, empower community organizations as co-producers of public safety, and mobilize local resources and expertise to address Newark’s most pressing crime challenges.
The Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC) is a Rutgers University–Newark anchor initiative that advances community safety through data-informed community engagement, place-based analytics, and collaborative problem-solving. Since 2018, NPSC has convened community organizations, researchers, local government agencies, businesses, and other key local stakeholders to co-produce strategies that prevent crime and violence across Newark.
Through its innovative framework, NPSC democratizes access to data and analytics, empowers community-led responses to public safety, and mobilizes stakeholders around shared strategies to strengthen community wellbeing and support thriving neighborhoods.
NPSC supports efforts to prevent crime and enhance public safety by making data and research evidence accessible to local community groups and change agents.
Community groups lead the way in NPSC’s membership
The NPSC serves a diverse network of stakeholders from across Newark's constituencies and sectors, including community-based grassroots organizations and large corporations.
Effective public safety strategies require collaborative, data-informed problem-solving that integrates community expertise, place-based data analysis, and coordinated action across multiple stakeholders.
Reimagining Justice with Data-Informed Community Engagement
NPSC by the Numbers
50+ partner organizations
38+ community stakeholder meetings
100+ data reports produced annually
Nationally recognized public safety innovation model
NPSC’s projects have led to:
50% reduction in nighttime violent crime in areas with enhanced LED streetlighting, with the strongest effects in the first 6 months and no evidence of displacement to surrounding areas.
52% reduction in idling-related auto thefts across priority areas following a public awareness campaign conducted at over a dozen priority areas.
19% reduction in theft from autos across the Bloomfield Ave corridor following a co-produced effort involving +10 community organizations.
43% reduction in violent crime following the launch of the Astor Street Task Force in Lincoln Park.
Co-producing Public Safety with Data-Informed Community Engagement
NPSC’s approach is grounded in the following principles:
Convene diverse community stakeholders around shared public safety goals
Democratize access to data, analytics, and actionable insights
Value local knowledge, lived experience, and community expertise
Advance transparent, place-based strategies focused on priority areas
Mobilize community resources through collaboration and coordination
Support the co-production of public safety through community-led action
As NPSC continues to expand its work, the collaborative remains committed to strengthening Newark’s public safety ecosystem through access to rigorous research, data, community partnerships, and evidence-informed solutions.
“By democratizing access to data and analytics, community groups can fully engage in problem-solving activities effectively. Collectively, local stakeholders can pool their resources and expertise toward the common objective of producing community safety and wellness.”
Dr. Alejandro Gimenez-Santana