Criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe working with police to reduce violent crime

The murder rate has soared in Philadelphia. "Half the people shot are within two blocks of their homes," says Temple criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe, a police department consultant. According to Police Commissioner Ramsey, we need to be strategic about deploying resources. Working with Ratcliffe's computer analysis, the police began deploying two-officer foot patrols three years ago in 60 areas ravaged by crime. The result: a 23 percent reduction. The cops are now studying two drug markets as well as specific high-crime communities for patterns and differences.
March 16, 2011 | Philadelphia Inquirer