Eric L. Piza

Eric L. Piza is the Lipman Family Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Director of Crime Analysis Initiatives, and Co-Director of the Crime Prevention Lab at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities. His work bridges academic research and police practice, focusing on evidence-based approaches to crime prevention and control. With extensive experience both in academia and law enforcement, Dr. Piza has established himself as a leading expert in spatial crime analysis and crime control technologies.

Dr. Piza received his PhD in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University in 2012. Prior to his academic career, he served as the GIS Specialist of the Newark, New Jersey Police Department, where he was responsible for day-to-day crime analysis and program evaluation activities. This practical experience informs his research approach and ensures his work remains grounded in real-world policing challenges.

Dr. Piza's research agenda centers on the spatial analysis of crime patterns, evidence-based policing, crime control technology, and the integration of academic research with police practice. His work particularly emphasizes how technology like CCTV and gunshot detection systems can be effectively deployed for crime prevention. He examines not just whether these technologies work, but how they interact with police practices and community contexts to produce outcomes. His research has demonstrated that strategic deployment, active monitoring, and integration with complementary interventions are critical for maximizing effectiveness.

Analysis of Dr. Piza's recent publications reveals a strong focus on evaluating the effectiveness of crime prevention technologies, particularly gunshot detection systems and CCTV. His research employs rigorous quasi-experimental methods to assess impacts on crime patterns, police response, and case clearance rates across multiple cities including Chicago and Kansas City. His work increasingly examines the spatial and temporal dimensions of crime prevention interventions and their sustainability over time, with notable studies extending up to 11 years of follow-up data.

Dr. Piza has been awarded over $6.7 million in competitive research grants from agencies including the National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of State, Swedish National Council on Crime Prevention, and the Charles Koch Foundation's Policing & Criminal Justice reform program. His research has been published in over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and 3 books.

As Director of Crime Analysis Initiatives and Co-Director of the Crime Prevention Lab, Dr. Piza oversees research projects that directly engage with police departments and community stakeholders. He has served as a keynote speaker for government agencies worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Justice, London Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, Carabineros De Chile, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. His lab work focuses on translating research findings into practical crime prevention strategies that can be implemented by law enforcement agencies.