Smart Suite is a collection of innovative programs designed to reexamine all aspects of the criminal justice system. Its goal is to identify what works in reducing crime and recidivism, ultimately making our communities safer. By integrating more scientific approaches, Smart Suite incorporates evidence-based practices to improve performance, increase effectiveness, and manage costs. 

At the core of this approach are partnerships between practitioners and researchers, who use data, evidence, and innovation to develop efficient and impactful strategies. By applying the scientific method to criminal justice entities, we can better understand crime challenges and prioritize resources where they are needed most. 

This process often involves enhancing data collection and analysis. A key component of this analysis is the use of spatial analysis to gain a more comprehensive understanding of criminal activity, allowing for the development of targeted, effective responses. 

Research shows that a small group of individuals and locations account for a disproportionate amount of crime and violence. By examining these issues through a spatial lens, we can explore concentrations of criminal activity and deploy resources more strategically to address problem areas and the individuals responsible. 

This video will offer a high-level overview of Geographic information systems (GIS), the types of data that can be analyzed through spatial methods, and real-world examples of how these tools are applied in criminal justice settings.