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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2024
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Innovative Strategies and Community Partnerships Drive Crime Reduction in New Orleans: Keller Williams Realty Hosts DA Office Director of Strategic Initiatives Daniel Shanks | |
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New Orleans, LA – November 13, 2024 – The Keller Williams Realty group hosted an inspiring session featuring Daniel Shanks, Director of Strategic Initiatives/NODICE, as a special guest speaker. The event, moderated by Jeffrey Doussan Jr. of Keller Williams Realty, provided an in-depth look at the NODICE program and the significant impact of strategic partnerships in reducing crime throughout New Orleans.
Shanks opened the discussion by sharing his personal journey back into public service, driven by a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference in his community. “I really wanted to get back to making a difference, but I wasn’t sure how I could contribute as a citizen,” Shanks explained. “All I knew was that I had experience from my time at the DA’s office. So, I reached out and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to help. We’re the murder capital of the world—what can I do?’”
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Rejoining the Fight Against Crime
This call to action led Shanks to rejoin the District Attorney’s Office, where he took on a role as a District Screener under the leadership of Chief of Screening, Andre Gaudin. Shanks’ return came at a pivotal moment as Chief Gaudin was launching the innovative District Screener Program. This program strategically places screeners in each police district to meticulously review every arrest, aiming to foster stronger collaborations between law enforcement agencies and the DA’s Office. The goal is not only to streamline the judicial process but also to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently to address crime at its core.
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A Proactive Approach to Crime Reduction
During the session, Shanks highlighted the recent decline in crime rates across New Orleans, attributing much of this success to the robust collaboration between the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the District Attorney’s Office. “It’s all about collaboration,” Shanks emphasized. “It’s easy to get caught up in a case-by-case approach, focusing on individual incidents. But the real challenge is, how do we look upstream? By identifying and addressing root causes, we can intervene earlier, preventing crime before it even occurs.”
This proactive approach has proven essential in addressing the complex challenges of crime in the city. By focusing on upstream solutions, Shanks, law enforcement, and community partners are working to prevent incidents before they escalate, ultimately contributing to safer neighborhoods and a more resilient community.
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Leveraging Technology: The Power of Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM)
A key highlight of the presentation was the District Attorney’s Office’s use of Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) technology. Shanks explained how RTM provides a sophisticated, data-driven approach to identifying not just crime hotspots but also the underlying environmental factors that make certain areas more vulnerable to criminal activity. This technology allows the DA’s Office to deploy resources strategically, focusing on areas where they can have the most impact.
“RTM enables us to take a deeper look at the environmental and geographical factors that influence crime patterns,” Shanks explained. “By understanding these underlying elements, we can focus our efforts more effectively, rather than simply reacting to crime as it happens.”
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Understanding Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM)
Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) is a powerful diagnostic tool used to assess risk at specific locations by analyzing environmental conditions. Unlike traditional methods that focus on individuals, RTM shifts the lens to places, identifying common factors that attract criminal activities. This innovative approach transforms raw crime data into actionable insights, enabling law enforcement and community partners to predict and address crime patterns more effectively.
RTM analyzes the spatial distribution of crime incidents, linking them to characteristics of the built environment that contribute to criminal behavior. By understanding why crimes cluster in certain areas, authorities can intervene more proactively, addressing the root causes rather than just responding to incidents after they occur.
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The Importance of Collaboration
As the session concluded, Shanks reiterated the vital role of collaboration between law enforcement, community leaders, and technology in achieving lasting change. “When we combine the predictive power of RTM with the expertise of law enforcement and the engagement of the community, there’s truly no limit to what we can achieve,” Shanks said. “Collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable crime reduction. It’s about leveraging every tool, every partner, and every piece of data to build a safer New Orleans.”
This event showcased the ongoing efforts of the District Attorney’s Office to reduce crime through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to public safety. With the support of community partners like Keller Williams Realty, initiatives like NODICE and RTM are helping to transform the way New Orleans addresses its crime challenges, setting the stage for a brighter, safer future.
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