Research shows that crime is highly concentrated in very small geographic places, such as street segments, and that focusing criminal justice efforts at such places benefits crime prevention and communities. Furthermore, other social phenomena also cluster at small places, suggesting a role for partnerships between justice agencies, social service providers, and “micro-communities” in helping to prevent crime and increase social cohesion and informal social control.

Despite a growing scientific base, there remain gaps in our knowledge of crime and place and the nature of micro-communities. Faculty and students within the CEBCP work to identify areas of significant research promise and practical crime prevention and social benefits. CEBCP has also created the Crime and Place Working Group (CPWG), an international collaborative of crime and place scholars dedicated to the advancement of this line of research.

The current co-chairs of the CPWG are Martin Andresen and Liz Groff.