Dr. McGarrell Receives Bureau of Justice Assistance Award

November 27, 2024

Dr. Ed McGarrell, Emeritus Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at MSU, has received the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Reducing Crime Award. Dr. McGarrell was presented the award in-person at the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Building during the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on November 14th, 2024.

The BJA reserves the Reducing Crime Award for researchers who have made significant contributions to the development and implementation of programs that have reduced violent crime. Dr. McGarrell’s contributions to crime reduction include developing the Project Safe Neighborhoods and Smart/Innovations Suite TTA programs. Both of these programs are collaborations between researchers, government agencies, and community leaders and have led to large reductions in violence in both Indianapolis and Detroit. Project Safe Neighborhoods has also been modeled and implemented in cities across the country after its success in the Midwest.

On receiving this recognition, Dr. McGarrell says, “A major focus of my scholarship has been to support the integration of research and practice. This has involved long-term researcher-practitioner partnerships in Detroit, Flint, Lansing and beyond. The goals have included identifying and testing innovative violence reduction strategies. To have this work recognized by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the key arm of the U.S. Department of Justice supporting innovation and evidence-based practices in local, state, and Tribal justice agencies, is particularly meaningful and rewarding.”

Congratulations Dr. McGarrell on this well-earned recognition!