There is a great deal that city leaders can gain from using data to better understand the violence happening in their own cities, and to take action to prevent it. Before getting into the why and how, however, it is first important to acknowledge that violence is a pervasive issue in many cities around the world. Violence is not an issue exclusive to the Global North or Global South, to certain regions, or demographics. In fact the vast majority of violence occurs beyond the battlefields, in our homes and in our streets. Most recent data indicates that over 80 percent of all violent deaths happens outside of conflict,[1] and with more than half of the population living in urban areas (a number that is projected to increase to 68 percent by 2050), it is safe to say that the majority of violence is happening in cities around the world.
Nevertheless, it is equally important to understand that violence is hyper-localized. The profile of violence, the people most affected by it, the risk factors at play, and what will work to prevent it—this changes from city to city, neighborhood to neighborhood, and street to street. 50 percent of crimes in Latin America happen in only 2 percent of streets, and this trend holds true even when looking within cities. For example, in Seattle, United States, 50 percent of all crimes happen in only 5 percent of the streets.
That is why local leaders and those whose work is deeply embedded in their communities are the ones best poised to prevent and reduce violence. These efforts need to start with a precise and nuanced understanding of the types of violence that are affecting specific communities and neighborhoods, which city leaders have gained through both their work and lived experiences. Still, while this knowledge of the city and its dynamics is invaluable and irreplicable, city leaders should also use data to supplement and improve their own understanding of violence in their cities—and the risk and protective factors at play.
Read the full blog: Data and the City: Practical Steps to Use Data for Urban Violence Prevention