What explains the crime decline????

For those of you interested in opinions or theories explaining crime decline, here is a link that my friend Lt. Glen Mills from Burlington PD sent along....



https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/11/24/10-not-entirely-crazy-theories-explaining-the-great-crime-decline

The 10th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women

Join Us Online This Thursday (12/4) at 2:00pm for a Special Livestream
	The 10th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women announced today that a keynote address by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be streamed live on the Conference website, maconferenceforwomen.org, on December 4, 2014 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST. We're pleased that with the support of Boston Scientific we are able to bring this event to all who wished to attend the Conference this year. The 2014 Conference, which will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, is sold out and more than 10,000 people are registered to attend. Mark your calendar now, and visit maconferenceforwomen.org at 2:00pm this Thursday, December 4th, to watch live!

Interesting conference coming up on December 12th.

Understanding and Improving Cities

Policy/Research Partnerships in the Digital Age

"Understanding and Improving Cities: Policy/Research Partnerships in the Digital Age" will bring together civic leaders, scholars, local practitioners, and students to discuss current and future research and policy collaborations. The event will feature panel discussions in which scholars and officials discuss work being done in Boston and other locales on education, public safety, economic development, and public management, including several initiatives that are using new data sources in novel ways. Conference participants will also have opportunities to explore new partnerships in small-scale conversations. The day’s program will conclude with remarks and discussion with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, whose administration is committed to making Boston’s data more accessible and using that data to improve the lives of citizens.
Registration is required.

Conference info is online at http://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/event/2014-understanding-improving-cities-conference.

Registration information is online at http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?456249

Please share our interesting work with friend and colleagues!!

Institute for Public Service faculty members Aimee Williamson and Brenda Bond serve as guest editors for a symposium in the November/December issue of Public Administration Review.  “Boston Strong: Lessons Learned, Gaps Remaining, and New Issues Since 9/11” includes an Introduction by Professors Williamson and Bond, a Perspective by former Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, and two additional articles reporting empirical research findings related to the attack.  The Boston case demonstrates the complexity of crisis management today and has implications for understanding interagency communication and coordination, as well as training public administrators.  Themes emerging from the symposium include the importance of social capital, trust, and collaboration for effective emergency management and the question of whether or not crises serve as catalysts for reform. 

The Introduction (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/puar.12302/full) and Perspective (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/puar.12297/full) articles will be available from PAR free of charge for a limited time. 

For more information, contact Prof. Williamson at awilliamson@suffolk.edu.

Collaborating with Lowell PD on frontline supervisor seminar

Here is the press release on the Lowell Police Department's Smart Policing Initiative

 


September 19, 2014
 

First Line Supervisor Leadership Training

The Lowell Police Department (LPD), in conjunction with Middlesex Community College Corporate and Community Education and Training Department and Suffolk University’s Dr. Brenda Bond, Associate Professor in the Institute for Public Service, has created an intensive leadership course for first line supervisors. This leadership course was made possible through a Smart Policing Initiative Grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Through the LPD’s Smart Policing projects which began in 2010, the department has worked hard to institutionalize evidence-based policing. In recent years, the LPD’s Command Staff have identified that there is a significant lack of leadership courses available for first line supervisors, particularly Sergeants.

First line supervisors oversee and direct officers on the street in carrying out the directives issued by commanding officers. They are critical to the success of a police department. These individuals are often the face of the organization within the community and they serve as role models for patrol officers that look to them for both guidance and leadership. First line supervisors are routinely involved in complex incidents and often have to make quick and important decisions. Through the 8-week course, the front line supervisors will learn more about their leadership styles, how to effectively manage others, evidence-based practices in policing, accountability, and performance management. The curriculum was developed by, law enforcement professionals, researchers and instructors from the Lowell Police Department, Middlesex Community College and Suffolk University. In addition to first line supervisors from the LPD, officers from Chelmsford, Dracut, Cambridge, Bedford and Tyngsborough will participate in the training. The LPD will offer this course again in early 2015.

Be on the lookout for our publications!

 International Public Management Network Listserv
---

Public Administration Review © American Society for Public Administration Volume 74, Issue 6, November/December 2014

 

The latest articles from Public Administration Review are available in the Wiley Online Library

 

 

 

 

SYMPOSIUM

Boston Strong: Lessons Learned, Gaps Remaining, and New Issues Since 9/11

Aimee L. Williamson and Brenda J. Bond, Guest Editors

 

Introduction

Making Boston Strong: Social Capital, Collaboration, and Accountability Lessons for Public Administrators in the 21st Century

Aimee L. Williamson and Brenda J. Bond

Not yet available. Check Early View for updates.

 

Perspective

Decades of Preparation, But Only Moments to Respond: How Authentic Collaboration Saves Lives and Solves Problems

Edward F. Davis

Not yet available. Check Early View for updates.

 

Article

What Have We Learned since September 11, 2001? A Network Study of the Boston Marathon Bombings Response

Qian Hu, Claire Connolly Knox, and Naim Kapucu

Article first published online: 23 SEP 2014 | DOI: 10.1111/puar.12284

 

Article

The Boston Marathon Bombings: Who’s to Blame and Why It Matters for Public Administration

John D. Marvel

Article first published online: 3 SEP 2014 | DOI: 10.1111/puar.12263

 

Great Event 10/29!

The Center for Innovation and Change Leadership presents: THE INSIDE LEADERSHIP SERIES

 

 

Guest Speaker: Catherine D'Amato, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank   Catherine D'Amato, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that feeds 545,000 hungry people each year. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.      Moderated by:   Larry Stybel, Executive in Residence at the Sawyer Business School   The Inside Leadership Podcast Series introduces this generation's "self-made leaders" to the next. The podcast series features successful business leaders who have used education, innovation, and collaboration to succeed in life. Leaders are interviewed by Larry Stybel, Executive in Residence at the Sawyer Business School before a student audience.   October 29, 2014   4:15pm - 5:30pm Amenities Room   73 Tremont Street, Boston    This event is free. Registration is not required, however, seating is very limited and is on a first come first serve basis.      For more information about the series, please contact: Larry Stybel, by telephone to 617.619.4958617.619.4958 or by email to: lstybel@suffolk.edu.    Previous Inside Leadership Speaker podcast are available online for free. Join the Conversation! Twitter @SUBizSchool #InsideLeadership

Upcoming Networking Events

In collaboration with the Alumni Office and to celebrate the start of Homecoming weekend, the SBS Graduate Programs will be hosting their annual networking receptions throughout the city on Thursday, October 23^rd. These events are held once a year and will not be held in the spring.

 

Here is the schedule of events, locations and how to RSVP if you are able to attend:

 

MHA and MPA Networking Socials-Scholars
6:00-8:00PM
Scholars
25 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
RSVP here.
If you have any questions regarding this event, email Alicia Vinal, MHA Program Office, avinal@suffolk.edu or call 617-305-1769. For the MPA event, contact Leann Baldwin at lbaldwin@suffolk.edu or call x8330.

I hope you will be able to join us at one or many of the events on October 23^rd. These types of events set Suffolk apart and continue to be a unique opportunity to bring our faculty, students and alumni together to network, reconnect and celebrate.

Update job announcements

Job announcements are starting to pick up...be sure to check the page on this blog for updates

Happy September!

I hope everyone has had a great summer and are enjoying these early days of fall.  I've been somewhat MIA as a result of a heavy work load, and moving, but I plan to jump right back in to posting and am starting with this fantastic opportunity.

Building grantwriting skills has truly been the most important and valuable professional decision that I have made.  To all those who seek success in public service, I would recommend learning grantwriting, or becoming a grant reviewer.  Please see this fantastic opportunity below...or others as you won't regret learning about the world of grants!

Community Grant Reviewers Needed Do you want to participate in a decision-making process that will strengthen communities across the Commonwealth?   Do you want to gain valuable insight into a grant application and review process?     Want to network with civic leaders and fellow community members?    Consider volunteering as a Community Grant Reviewer!

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) seeks individuals to serve as community grant reviewers for the 2015-2016 AmeriCorps State grants. Community grant reviewers are critical to the integrity of MSA's grant-making process by ensuring that public funds are invested in high-quality programs that address critical needs in Massachusetts through an equitable and transparent process.      Grant reviewers are individuals who represent the public and private sectors and reflect the diversity of Massachusetts' communities. Prior AmeriCorps and/or grant reviewing experience is preferred, though it is not required.    Individuals affiliated with applicant organizations are not eligible to participate in the review, and all reviewers will be asked to sign a conflict of interest certification form.   Commitment of a Community Reviewer Participate in a webinar training session (approx. 45-60 minutes) Tuesday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. OR Thursday, September 18th at 11:00 a.m.   Read 4-6 proposals (est. 45-60 min/proposal). (Proposals will be accessed electronically.) Score each proposal and determine funding recommendations prior to the review day on the worksheet provided Discuss the proposals and recommendations with other reviewers during a half-day review session The community grant review will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 9:00am - 12:30pm at a Boston location. Reviewers must be available for the duration of the review.   To volunteer as a reviewer, please  click here. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Virginia Frias at vfrias@mass-service.org   AmeriCorps   AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations to recruit, train, and  manage AmeriCorps Members who address unmet community needs. Members are individuals who engage in community service. Members will help hundreds of community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, disaster preparedness, and other critical areas.

Please help us spread the word about this volunteer opportunity by forwarding this email and posting it on your Facebook and Twitter pages!   Sincerely,   Lindsay Snyder  Director of External Relations and Development

Updated job announcements

Summer may be more relaxed, but there are plenty of organizations hiring. I'll continue to post on my "Job Announcements" page. 

Summer research

This summer I'm spending my time studying the recent history (1980-2005) of crime and crime policy in the City of Lowell. This study will look at the nature of crime and public safety policy in Lowell over this period of time, attempting to describe and explain how these community elements evolved.  I'm working with colleagues to collect and analyze lots of existing data, but also interviewing a diverse set of stakeholders who have interesting and fascinating stories to tell about public safety during these years.  The study will tell the public safety story in the broader context of community development.

AmeriCorps VISTA Opportunities

The Merrimack Valley YMCA has TWO AmeriCorps VISTA positions open.  

The Merrimack Valley YMCA is seeking a Curriculum Coordinator and a Development Coordinator to support our Extended Day Education Programs in partnership with Lawrence Public Schools.  For more information please visit: 

(Curriculum Coordinator) https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=49716&fromSearch=true

(Development Coordinator) https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=49717&fromSearch=true

or contact Katie at kdesbois@mvymca.org.  Thank you!

 

 Katie DesBois

Director of Grant Management & Research

MERRIMACK VALLEY YMCA 

101 Amesbury Street, 4th Floor, Lawrence, MA 01840

(E) kdesbois@mvymca.org (W) www.mvymca.org

 

The Y: We're for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Internship Opportunity

South Boston Neighborhood House, a local non-profit community center, is looking for an intern in FALL 2014 to work on a specific project related to Performance Management.

 

This would be a unique opportunity to be involved in the development and implementation of a performance measurement system for a small non-profit. If you are interested in learning more about this internship, please contact Warren Egersheim (a recent graduate of the MPA program) at wegersheim@sbnh.org.  

Are you a "dropper"?

Check out the latest from the Laughing Clubs of America and my good friend  Sushil Bhatia

www.sushilbhatia.com

www.laughingclubsofamerica.com

 

 

Are you a "dropper"? And if yes, what kind of "dropper" are you?

 

These days there are many types of "droppers" e.g. name droppers, class droppers, eavesdroppers, school droppers (sometimes we call them drop outs), book droppers and now there is  a new kind called "knowledge droppers".

What kind of "dropper" are you?

 

Most of us belong in the first category of name droppers because it makes us feel important and special. 

 

But hold on.

 

Now the new in thing is "Knowledge Dropping," because by being a Knowledge Dropper we want to show how smart, intelligent, and well read we are.

 

So what is "Knowledge Dropping" or who is a" Knowledge Dropper"?

 

Let us imagine you are at a gathering and someone says: Have you read this best seller book " BBBBBBBBBBBB"? Which you have not.

 

How do you address this questions?

 

A little research showed that there is several possible scenarios people use.

 

1. You can be honest and say "No I have not," but it might not make you feel very good.
2. You can bluff and say "yes, but not recently" and walk away before the next question is asked "Oh what part did you enjoy and remember the most?"
3. Instead of answering the question, put a piece of food in your mouth, point towards your  mouth indicating that " I cannot talk while my mouth is full" and hope that someone else will answer that question and you are saved.
4. Pretend that you are choking on your food, start coughing, and walk away in search of a drink of water. By the time you come back almost everyone is sympathetic towards you and they are more concerned with your welfare than your knowledge.
5. You quickly look around, see someone you know and walk away by excusing yourself and saying "oh, what a surprise that Mr./Mrs./Miss M is here. Have been waiting to meet them for a long time. Let me go and say hello". And off you go.
6. You say "My God I cannot believe any one would write a book like that". Give a knowing laugh; shake your head and say something like "less said about the book the better".
7. Answer the question with a question.  "Looks like you enjoyed the book. Which is your favorite section"?

Do any of these seem familiar and have you used them in the past?

 

If not, do not despair. You can still use them -one or all- next time you meet a "knowledge dropper".  And of course you live with the consequences of your choice(s).

 

Congrats to Suffolk Grads!

What a great time at the Suffolk Sawyer Business School graduation yesterday!  Beautiful day celebrating so many beautiful people.

Here I am in the procession with my Suffolk colleagues Lydia Segal and Aimee Williamson!!

It's that time!!

Congratulations to all of our MPA Graduates!  We are sorry to see you go, but so excited for your future.  We look forward to continuing our connections as you move from enrolled to alumni!!!

Cheers!

Is a PhD in your future?

Join IPS faculty members on Friday May 9th at 3:30 in the Granary Conference Room for a Q & A about pursuing a PhD. 

Hope to see you there!

Exam dates for Mass Trial Court Officer and Probation Officer

The Massachusetts Trial Court has posted the exam dates for the above positions...see link below


http://www.mass.gov/courts/news-pubs/tc/04-16-14-court-officer-probation-officer-exam.html

Working for the Federal Government

We had an excellent presentation recently by Kim Ainsworth, Executive Director of the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board - a government organization looking to promote federal employment.  Check out the following link for more information:

http://www.boston.feb.gov/

Also, see my "job announcement" page for valuable websites

 

 

 

New Urban Mechanics Fellowship Programs

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh encourages graduate students to apply to the

New  Urban Mechanics Fellowship Programs  

The Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) Fellowships were created to attract the next generation of leaders to careers in public service. Candidates are recent graduates of master’s degree programs in public policy, public administration, urban planning and related fields who have a strong interest in public service. Fellowship opportunities include a one year post graduate full time fellowship as well as an eight week Summer Fellowship in the Office of
Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston.   In addition to generating new ideas, fellows will learn about the mission and work of City departments working alongside Cabinet Chiefs, Department Heads and senior staff, while participating in professional development and educational seminars.

Deadlines are approaching:

               New Urban Mechanics Fellowship Program:  May 2, 2014

               New Urban Mechanics Summer Fellowship:  April 25, 2014

If you have any questions, please contact

Patricia Boyle-McKenna, Program Director

New Urban Mechanics, Boston

P: 617-635-1413

www.boston.gov/NewUrbanMechanics

New Job Announcements

Be sure to check out the "Job Announcements" page to see what has been posted this week!

Happy Spring!!!

Professional Development Resources

For anyone interested in perusing a career in government and/or emergency management, here are a few resources:

 

This is the web site for federal employment: https://www.usajobs.gov/

Here is the link for state positions: https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/3111/index.do

The Mass Municipal Assoc keeps a list of open positions at the municipal level: http://www.mma.org/municipal-jobs

 

For anyone interested in the emergency management and response field the Red Cross and the Medical Reserve Corps have many opportunities. 

This is the Red Cross, Eastern MA Chapter: http://www.redcross.org/ma/boston

 
This is the Region 4B website and includes information for the MRC for the communities surrounding Boston: http://www.region4b.org/Region4bCommunities.aspx

This is for the Boston MRC: http://www.bphc.org/whatwedo/emergency-services-preparedness/public-health-preparedness/boston-medical-reserve-corps/Pages/bostonmrc.aspx

 

And here is information on Psychological First Aid training sponsored by the Commonwealth:

http://cmmh-cmtp.org/dbhptrain.php

Calling All MPA Suffolk Grads!

The Institute for Public Service and Sawyer Business School are involved in an unprecedented challenge and we need your help!

It’s been a great year for the Sawyer Business School (SBS) and the MPA program at Suffolk. Our new president, James McCarthy, is very innovative, creating a lot of offerings for students and alumni: http://suffolk.edu/alumni.php .

I'm excited to tell you about the $50,000 Alumni Participation Challenge. From now until June 30, SBS is competing with the Law School (LAW) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to see which school can increase its alumni giving the most. What matters in this competition is the number of donations we get, not their size. If the percentage of SBS alumni giving increases more than the percentage of LAW or CAS alumni giving, SBS wins $50,000 from a group of anonymous donors. In order to win the Challenge, we need your help!

To be perfectly honest, we need the money to do great things, to make us all proud of the Sawyer Business School and Suffolk overall, to enhance our reputation. The size of your gift does not matter. Seriously. What matters is that you make a donation.

Just take a quick look at the endowments at various universities in the Boston area (source: Wikipedia):

·         Harvard: $32.3 billion

·         MIT: $11 billion

·         BC: $1.8 billion

·         BU: $1.4 billion

·         Northeastern: $567 million

·         Babson: $275.5 million

·         Bentley: $217.9 million

·         Suffolk: $121.9 million

By donating today, your gift not only helps us win the Challenge, but it also greatly impacts the lives of our students and the SBS community. The power of your gift enables us to provide a high-quality, well-rounded, practical and innovative education to our students and alumni. Increasing the University’s alumni participation helps to attract top students, employers and other partners in the community.

I hope you can attribute some of your success to what you learned at SBS and that you would like to give back.
Here is the link to make a donation: https://www.suffolk.edu/business/alumni/30490.php .

Finally, remember that your donation is tax deductible. Please give today.

THANK YOU!

Brenda

On March 6th Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu spoke to members of the Suffolk Community about her rise to Councilor and her priorities for her first term in office.  Michelle is the first Asian American to serve on the Council, and currently the youngest member.

Thanks Michelle!!!

Using public health approaches to prevent violence

 

 

Researchers who study violence in communities know that it can spread much like an outbreak of flu or measles. In innovative programs around the United States and overseas, law enforcement is teaming up with public health experts and researchers to understand how violence occurs and how it can be prevented.

Learn more about these partnerships — and the need for research and evaluation of these innovative strategies — in a new NIJ Journal article.

Healthy Communities May Make Safe Communities: Public Health Approaches to Violence Prevention.