Rethinking Crime Prevention: Data, Community & Real-World Impact | Dr. Charlotte Gill

How do we move from reactive policing to true crime prevention? In this episode of Geography of Crime, Dr. Grant Drawve sits down with Dr. Charlotte Gill (George Mason University) to discuss the intersection of research, policy, and community insight in modern criminology. Dr. Gill shares how her early fieldwork in restorative justice shaped her perspective—and why data alone isn’t enough to understand crime. The conversation explores prevention-focused strategies, the limits of policing, and the critical role of community voices in creating lasting change. What you’ll learn: Why prevention should take priority over reaction The limits of traditional policing models How community knowledge improves crime solutions The importance of collaboration across sectors Advice for students and researchers entering the field Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:01:00 Dr. Gill’s background and early research 00:04:00 Evolving perspectives on evidence-based policy 00:06:00 Prevention vs. reaction in policing 00:16:00 Community stakeholders and collaboration 00:27:00 The value of local knowledge 00:35:00 Advice for students and researchers Subscribe for more conversations on crime, data, and place-based insights.