The Urban Safety Program collaborates with community organizations and government agencies in metropolitan Detroit on projects that address persistent public safety-related issues.

The program conducts research to identify "best practices" and model programs, regularly analyzes crime trends and neighborhood conditions, and provides technical assistance to community organizations and government agencies.

The program has developed several innovative projects including:

"Mapping Out Safe Routes to School" - a program that engages youth in community problem-solving using geographic information systems (GIS) and civic action.

"Taking Stock of Neighborhoods" - a capacity building initiative that includes maintaining an interactive data/mapping website that provides access to neighborhood-level statistics on social, economic and environmental conditions and trends.

"GIS/GPS Mobile Mapping Applications" - development of customized mobile mapping tools for data collection/field research projects.

"Dashboard Indicators" - development of computer programming and automated statistical tools to support data-driven decision making and program evaluation.