Thomas Abt
@thomasabt.bsky.social
Author, BLEEDING OUT. Founding Director, VRC. Associate Research Professor, UMD. Senior Fellow, CCJ. Opinions, my own.
Reposted by Thomas Abt
@ucdaviscvp.bsky.social spoke with 45 community violence prevention specialists (CVPS) to explore their role in preventing violence. Their proximity and perspective provide valuable guidance to inform and strengthen violence reduction efforts. Read more: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Community-Based Violence Intervention in the Aftermath of Homicide: Community Violence Prevention Specialists’ Proximity to and Perspectives on Community Safety and Healing - Julia J. Lund, Amanda J. ...
Communities impacted by homicide endure profound loss and trauma, yet the voices of those intimately acquainted with navigating its aftermath are often overlook...
journals.sagepub.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:18 PM
@ucdaviscvp.bsky.social spoke with 45 community violence prevention specialists (CVPS) to explore their role in preventing violence. Their proximity and perspective provide valuable guidance to inform and strengthen violence reduction efforts. Read more: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform's Group Violence Reduction Strategy includes combining data-driven identification, respectful engagement, intensive relationship-based supports, focused enforcement when necessary, and performance tracking. Read here: nicjr.org/files/galler...
nicjr.org
January 30, 2026 at 7:43 PM
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform's Group Violence Reduction Strategy includes combining data-driven identification, respectful engagement, intensive relationship-based supports, focused enforcement when necessary, and performance tracking. Read here: nicjr.org/files/galler...
I'm proud to say @vrcinfo.bsky.social has partnered with 4 of the 9 mayors profiled here. We provide nonpartisan training and technical assistance FOR FREE to mayors looking to save lives by stopping violent crime. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
9 Mayors Discuss Safety and Trust in Their Cities Under Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I'm proud to say @vrcinfo.bsky.social has partnered with 4 of the 9 mayors profiled here. We provide nonpartisan training and technical assistance FOR FREE to mayors looking to save lives by stopping violent crime. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
Check out VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social interview on the Chris and Amy show on @kmoxnews.bsky.social, where he discusses St. Louis's encouraging progress in violence reduction through the regional Save Lives Now! initiative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHN...
The Chris & Amy Show 1-13-26
YouTube video by KMOX
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Check out VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social interview on the Chris and Amy show on @kmoxnews.bsky.social, where he discusses St. Louis's encouraging progress in violence reduction through the regional Save Lives Now! initiative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHN...
Agree with this. @vrcinfo.bsky.social and others have been pushing these polices for the past few years and it's made a difference. Read the whole @nytimes.com piece, based on the @counciloncj.org's excellent new report. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
January 22, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Agree with this. @vrcinfo.bsky.social and others have been pushing these polices for the past few years and it's made a difference. Read the whole @nytimes.com piece, based on the @counciloncj.org's excellent new report. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
The Council on Criminal Justice just released its 2025 crime trends report. Read the whole report, but are some highlights are below. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
Crime Trends in U.S. Cities: Year-End 2025 Update - Council on Criminal Justice
With homicide down 21%, the 2025 homicide rate may reach the lowest level ever recorded in law enforcement or public health data going back to 1900, CCJ’s year-end analysis finds.
counciloncj.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The Council on Criminal Justice just released its 2025 crime trends report. Read the whole report, but are some highlights are below. counciloncj.org/crime-trends...
"An administration that campaigned on fighting crime and improving public safety has terminated, redirected, or delayed more than $1 billion in federal grants related to gun violence, public safety, mental health, and other efforts to save lives." www.thetrace.org/2026/01/trum...
Trump Has Slashed Federal Funding for Gun Violence Prevention. But How Much Exactly?
For a new analysis, The Trace catalogued how many grants were canceled or redirected during Trump’s first year in office.
www.thetrace.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:55 PM
"An administration that campaigned on fighting crime and improving public safety has terminated, redirected, or delayed more than $1 billion in federal grants related to gun violence, public safety, mental health, and other efforts to save lives." www.thetrace.org/2026/01/trum...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform released The Successful Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, outlining an evidence-based approach that supports sustained reductions in gun violence nationwide.
Learn how cities use data to create safer communities.
Read: nicjr.org/files/galler...
Learn how cities use data to create safer communities.
Read: nicjr.org/files/galler...
nicjr.org
January 20, 2026 at 5:58 PM
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform released The Successful Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, outlining an evidence-based approach that supports sustained reductions in gun violence nationwide.
Learn how cities use data to create safer communities.
Read: nicjr.org/files/galler...
Learn how cities use data to create safer communities.
Read: nicjr.org/files/galler...
Every MLK day I try to read a speech by King. This morning it was "The Three Evils of Society," in which King calls out poverty, racism and militarism in American society. Take a look - it's worth a read on any day - and give some thought to his words below. www.scribd.com/doc/13436224...
January 19, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Every MLK day I try to read a speech by King. This morning it was "The Three Evils of Society," in which King calls out poverty, racism and militarism in American society. Take a look - it's worth a read on any day - and give some thought to his words below. www.scribd.com/doc/13436224...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
I am now an Associate Professor, which means people from my hometown think I stopped working for a professor but am still in touch with them.
January 17, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I am now an Associate Professor, which means people from my hometown think I stopped working for a professor but am still in touch with them.
Reposted by Thomas Abt
The VRC recognizes Knoxville’s progress in public safety. According to preliminary 2025 crime data, homicides declined 26%, reaching the city's lowest total since 2016. Non-fatal shootings fell 27% in 2025, following a 45% reduction the prior year.
Report: knoxvilletnpolice.gov/wp-content/u...
Report: knoxvilletnpolice.gov/wp-content/u...
knoxvilletnpolice.gov
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 PM
The VRC recognizes Knoxville’s progress in public safety. According to preliminary 2025 crime data, homicides declined 26%, reaching the city's lowest total since 2016. Non-fatal shootings fell 27% in 2025, following a 45% reduction the prior year.
Report: knoxvilletnpolice.gov/wp-content/u...
Report: knoxvilletnpolice.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
St.Louis reached its lowest homicide total since 2013. These ongoing reductions reflect regional collaboration, including St. Louis’s adoption of the evidence-based Save Lives Now! initiative to reduce homicides. The VRC is proud to support these efforts.
Read here: www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Read here: www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Messenger: Crime is down again in St. Louis. Why aren't we talking about it?
"Save Lives Now!" and other efforts are taking root. St. Louis elected and corporate leaders should be talking about it.
www.stltoday.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
St.Louis reached its lowest homicide total since 2013. These ongoing reductions reflect regional collaboration, including St. Louis’s adoption of the evidence-based Save Lives Now! initiative to reduce homicides. The VRC is proud to support these efforts.
Read here: www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Read here: www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Really proud of the VRC's progress in 2025. On to 2026!
In 2025 the VRC deepened its impact. Highlights included hosting the Social Media Symposium; expanding partnerships to five cities, including Memphis and @atlantageorgia.bsky.social; presenting at the American Society of Criminology conference; and welcoming our Deputy Director.
A year of growth!
A year of growth!
January 12, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Really proud of the VRC's progress in 2025. On to 2026!
Reposted by Thomas Abt
This is great news.
Question: Which cities saw historic lows in violence in 2025? Answer: A lot of them. open.substack.com/pub/jasher/p...
The Cities That Saw Historic Murder Lows in 2025
Last year was a historic year in terms of the nation’s murder rate signalling the third straight year of record declines.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:52 PM
This is great news.
Question: Which cities saw historic lows in violence in 2025? Answer: A lot of them. open.substack.com/pub/jasher/p...
The Cities That Saw Historic Murder Lows in 2025
Last year was a historic year in terms of the nation’s murder rate signalling the third straight year of record declines.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Question: Which cities saw historic lows in violence in 2025? Answer: A lot of them. open.substack.com/pub/jasher/p...
Pleased to be quoted in this @tonymess.bsky.social piece about declining violence in St. Louis. Lots of good work happening and @vrcinfo.bsky.social is pleased to play a role in it. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Messenger: Crime is down again in St. Louis. Why aren't we talking about it?
"Save Lives Now!" and other efforts are taking root. St. Louis elected and corporate leaders should be talking about it.
www.stltoday.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Pleased to be quoted in this @tonymess.bsky.social piece about declining violence in St. Louis. Lots of good work happening and @vrcinfo.bsky.social is pleased to play a role in it. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
Paper out with @jpinasanchez.bsky.social & @marcelo-f-aebi.bsky.social in @socialindicators.bsky.social 🔔
How often do we compare crime recorded across countries? We show that crime counting rules vary widely across countries and this strongly affects cross-country comparisons
How often do we compare crime recorded across countries? We show that crime counting rules vary widely across countries and this strongly affects cross-country comparisons
January 11, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Paper out with @jpinasanchez.bsky.social & @marcelo-f-aebi.bsky.social in @socialindicators.bsky.social 🔔
How often do we compare crime recorded across countries? We show that crime counting rules vary widely across countries and this strongly affects cross-country comparisons
How often do we compare crime recorded across countries? We show that crime counting rules vary widely across countries and this strongly affects cross-country comparisons
Reposted by Thomas Abt
Oona Hathaway: The Great Unraveling Has Begun www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Opinion | The Great Unraveling Has Begun
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Oona Hathaway: The Great Unraveling Has Begun www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/o...
Reposted by Thomas Abt
Gun violence declined again in 2025, hitting some of the lowest levels in a decade, but the scale is still staggering.
At least 40,000 people were shot.
Gun suicides continued to rise.
Over 4,400 children and teens were hit by gunfire.
More on the numbers from @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
At least 40,000 people were shot.
Gun suicides continued to rise.
Over 4,400 children and teens were hit by gunfire.
More on the numbers from @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
Gun Violence by the Numbers in 2025
U.S. gun violence reached record lows, but still more than 105 people were shot each day. Here are other statistics that illuminate this year’s trends.
www.thetrace.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Gun violence declined again in 2025, hitting some of the lowest levels in a decade, but the scale is still staggering.
At least 40,000 people were shot.
Gun suicides continued to rise.
Over 4,400 children and teens were hit by gunfire.
More on the numbers from @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
At least 40,000 people were shot.
Gun suicides continued to rise.
Over 4,400 children and teens were hit by gunfire.
More on the numbers from @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
Reposted by Thomas Abt
VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social recently spoke with @michelmartinnpr.bsky.social on @npr.org about violence reduction in Baltimore and nationwide. Across the country, evidence-informed, community-informed strategies are having an impact. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/n....
Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in 2025. A look at what the city did
Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in the past year. NPR's Michel Martin asks Thomas Abt, a criminology professor at the University of Maryland, what Baltimore did right.
www.npr.org
January 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM
VRC Director @thomasabt.bsky.social recently spoke with @michelmartinnpr.bsky.social on @npr.org about violence reduction in Baltimore and nationwide. Across the country, evidence-informed, community-informed strategies are having an impact. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/n....
Reposted by Thomas Abt
"You have to be willing to follow the research where it leads, even if it takes you places that run counter to your assumptions." @joycewhitevance.bsky.social spoke with @abgelb.bsky.social about CCJ's work and why a fair and effective justice system is vital for democracy. tinyurl.com/mt6jrsme
Five Questions with Criminal Justice Reform Leader Adam Gelb
About some of America's unfinished business...
joycevance.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:52 PM
"You have to be willing to follow the research where it leads, even if it takes you places that run counter to your assumptions." @joycewhitevance.bsky.social spoke with @abgelb.bsky.social about CCJ's work and why a fair and effective justice system is vital for democracy. tinyurl.com/mt6jrsme
Here’s some good news from last week: www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump ends National Guard deployment in 3 cities after Supreme Court loss
The president said troops will no longer be in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland.
www.politico.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Here’s some good news from last week: www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Not sure @bsky.app is worth my time. I want to be supportive, but my same posts at Twitter (will always call it that) and especially LinkedIn consistently do better. I also find the content here less interesting. Open to being convinced - is it worth it?
January 2, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Not sure @bsky.app is worth my time. I want to be supportive, but my same posts at Twitter (will always call it that) and especially LinkedIn consistently do better. I also find the content here less interesting. Open to being convinced - is it worth it?
Here's me on NPR talking with Michelle Martin about what's happening in Baltimore and around the country. They dropped some of the specifics about the city from the discussion, so let me add those back below. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/n...
Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in 2025. A look at what the city did
Baltimore's crime rate dropped dramatically in the past year. NPR's Michel Martin asks Thomas Abt, a criminology professor at the University of Maryland, what Baltimore did right.
www.npr.org
January 1, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Here's me on NPR talking with Michelle Martin about what's happening in Baltimore and around the country. They dropped some of the specifics about the city from the discussion, so let me add those back below. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/n...