The Jeff-alytics Podcast

AH Datalytics
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Can data uncover the real story of crime and justice in America?  Jeff Asher—nationally recognized crime data analyst, co-founder of AH Datalytics, co-creator of the Real Time Crime Index, and author of the Jeff-alytics Substack—sits down with policymakers, academics, journalists, and everyday people to reveal what the numbers actually show. Each episode challenges the myths we believe, exposes the gap between headlines and reality, and asks: what happens when we finally see crime clearly?  New episodes drop every other week! Visit ahdatalytics.com to learn more.

  1. Inside the FBI’s Crime Data Reporting With Assistant Director Tim Ferguson

    1D AGO

    Inside the FBI’s Crime Data Reporting With Assistant Director Tim Ferguson

    I started tracking national murder trends in 2015 with a spreadsheet and data from around 25 random agencies that published at different cadences. That spreadsheet became a Google Sheet which became a dashboard with around 100 agencies with murder data which became the Real-Time Crime Index with seven categories of crime data from around 550 agencies nationwide.  A sample of that size and quality is only possible because of massive advances in how the FBI collects and publishes crime data over the last few years and today I am talking with the man in charge of that operation: FBI Assistant Director Tim Ferguson.  Tim runs the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division which, among other things, produces the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. CJIS has made dramatic leaps in producing fast, accurate crime data that makes it possible to better understand our crime trends in near real-time.  Tim shares his unexpected journey from a small farming town in Illinois to a leadership role within the FBI, detailing his diverse experiences in law enforcement, including violent crime and narcotics investigations. He emphasizes the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing new challenges, which ultimately led him to his current position at CJIS, where he oversees a vast array of services and technologies that support law enforcement across the nation. This is a special, inside look at how the crime data sausage gets made. And be sure to check out these other recent great episodes of the Jeff-alytics podcast! Jason Williams Jens Ludwig Jerry Ratcliffe

    48 min
  2. Transforming Criminal Justice in New Orleans with District Attorney Jason Williams

    FEB 11

    Transforming Criminal Justice in New Orleans with District Attorney Jason Williams

    As the District Attorney in New Orleans, Jason Williams is faced with a nearly impossible task. He must balance the job of being the prosecutor in a city that has had one of the nation’s highest murder rates for more than 30 years with the imperative of righting the wrongs of an office that has not always operated fairly.  Jason led the New Orleans City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee when I was a public safety consultant for the council, so it was a great joy to get to talk to him about his work in New Orleans as he approaches the end of his first term.  In this conversation, we discuss the challenges of balancing crime reduction with justice and how the innovative “N.O.D.I.C.E” program (New Orleans Data Informed Community Engagement) addresses the geographic footprint of crime in New Orleans. Jason emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and the myriad of challenges stemming from non-unanimous juries in Louisiana. The Honorable Jason Rogers Williams was sworn in as District Attorney of Orleans Parish on January 11, 2021. He is a proud Tulane University Law School Alumni. After graduating law school, he started his own law practice focused on criminal defense, Jason Rogers Williams and Associates. After winning a series of high-profile criminal cases, the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed Jason as a judge in New Orleans’ Criminal District Court. In 2014, he saw an opportunity to make government work for the people of New Orleans and ran for City Council. He was a council member for six years, four of which he served as Council President, before being elected District Attorney on a promise of sweeping justice reforms. Jason is a proud and devoted father to three children: 5-year-old Xavier, 17-year-old Graham, and 23-year-old Zoe. He lives in uptown New Orleans with his wife, Liz, founder of the Center of Resilience, his youngest son, and a very sweet but very bossy pit bull, Jean Louise.  Resources: Learn More: Jason Rogers Williams’ Website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    35 min
  3. How To Reduce Gun Violence in Cities With Jens Ludwig

    FEB 4

    How To Reduce Gun Violence in Cities With Jens Ludwig

    In this conversation, Jens Ludwig discusses his extensive research on gun violence, particularly focusing on youth violence and the role of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. He emphasizes the importance of using data and behavioral science to understand and address the root causes of gun violence. Ludwig also critiques media representations of gun violence and shares insights from his book 'Unforgiving Places,' which explores the complexities of gun violence in America. He offers practical policy recommendations for reducing gun violence, highlighting the need for community engagement and innovative intervention programs. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The foundations of Jens Ludwig's background in crime research, which began in the late 1980s during the crack cocaine epidemic.The important insights gained from the ‘Moving to Opportunity’ project.The unique role the University of Chicago Crime Lab plays as an R&D partner to government agencies.How government actions in crime prevention lack evidence-based support.What drives Youth violence in premeditated actions?How the 'Becoming a Man' program significantly reduces violent crime arrests among participants.Jens’ perspectives on media coverage and the misrepresentation of the nature of gun violence.How gun violence is a public health crisis, particularly affecting young people.Community engagement is crucial for effective violence prevention strategies.How practical, low-cost interventions can significantly reduce violence rates.Jens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and Pritzker director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and author of “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence” (University of Chicago Press, 2025). Resources: Learn More: Jens Ludwig’s Website Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    44 min
  4. The Science Behind Smarter Policing With Jerry Ratcliffe

    JAN 28

    The Science Behind Smarter Policing With Jerry Ratcliffe

    In this engaging conversation, criminologist Jerry Ratcliffe shares his unique journey from a police officer to an academic specializing in policing. He discusses the importance of evidence-based policing, the challenges of communicating research to practitioners, and the evolving perceptions of crime trends in the U.S. Ratcliffe also highlights significant studies, including the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment and his own Philadelphia Foot Patrol Experiment, which have shaped modern policing strategies.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Jerry Ratcliffe transitioned from policing to academia.How evidence-based policing is important to modern law enforcement.The challenge of communicating research findings to practitioners.Key revelations from the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment. Crime reduction data points from the Foot Patrols in Philadelphia.Why year-to-date crime comparisons can be misleading and should be avoided in early months.How the public's perception of crime trends is often influenced by media narratives.Reasons why short-form video content is an effective way to engage with the public about crime research.Ways academics need to improve their communication skills to reach non-academic audiences.Why the future of policing relies on collaboration between researchers and practitioners.Jerry Ratcliffe is a former British police officer, college professor, and host of the Reducing Crime podcast. He works with police agencies around the world on crime reduction, leadership, and criminal intelligence strategy.  ​After an ice-climbing accident ended a decade-long career with London’s Metropolitan Police, he earned a first class honors degree and a PhD from the University of Nottingham. He has published over 100 research articles and eleven books, including “Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders” and "Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics". Ratcliffe has been a research adviser to the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Commissioner, an instructor for the ATF intelligence academy, and he is a scientific advisor to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a Professor of Practice and the Faculty Director of the Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership in the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania. Resources: Learn More: Jerry Ratcliffe's WebsiteFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    39 min
  5. What We Get Wrong About Crime And Immigration With Dara Lind

    JAN 21

    What We Get Wrong About Crime And Immigration With Dara Lind

    In this conversation, Dara Lind discusses her extensive background in immigration policy and reporting, the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, and the often misunderstood relationship between immigration and crime. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of immigration policy, the judicial responses to enforcement actions, and the public's perception of immigrants in relation to crime. Lind also shares her personal journey into immigration advocacy and the challenges of effectively communicating these issues in today's media landscape. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Immigration policy often leads to unanticipated consequences.The role of the federal judiciary in immigration enforcement.What statistics truly say about crimes committed by native-born citizens v. crimes committed by immigrants?How the chilling effect on immigrant communities leads to underreporting of crime.Do public perceptions often conflate visible disorder with crime?How individual tragic cases can skew the broader immigration debate.The role of the media in overshadowing positive narratives about immigrants.Rebuilding trust in immigrant communities is a significant challenge for law enforcement.How the attention economy complicates the storytelling around immigration issues.Dara Lind's personal journey into immigration advocacy began with a focus on education.Dara Lind is an immigration policy expert and Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council. Lind has extensive reporting experience covering immigration policy for ProPublica and Vox and co-hosting the Vox podcast “The Weeds.” She has covered immigration in some form since the end of the George W. Bush administration. Resources: Learn More about Dara Lind: Dara Lind’s WebsiteFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    31 min
  6. The Policies Behind Atlantic County’s Safer Streets With William Reynolds

    JAN 14

    The Policies Behind Atlantic County’s Safer Streets With William Reynolds

    Today, Jeff talks with Atlantic County prosecutor William Reynolds about building an efficient, effective, and fair criminal justice system in one of the most interesting places in America: Atlantic City. This conversation explores the significant reduction in homicides in Atlantic County from 2012 to 2025, highlighting the strategies and reforms implemented to achieve this decline. The discussion delves into the factors contributing to the decrease in crime rates and the implications for public safety and law enforcement. William E. Reynolds was nominated to be the Atlantic County Prosecutor by Governor Philip Murphy on May 16, 2022. Assumed the role on June 6, 2022 and was confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey State Senate on August 8, 2022 for a 5 year term. Bill is a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, where he is raising his twin 16 year old boys. Bill's persistence and relentless pursuit of justice is the driving force of his decision making without fear or favor.  Resources: Learn More about William ReynoldsFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    36 min

  7. JAN 7

    The Nation’s Crime Measures with Alex Piquero

    In this engaging conversation, former Bureau of Justice Statistics director Alex Piquero shares his journey from playing in a rock band to becoming a prominent figure in criminology and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. We chat about the importance of crime data, particularly the National Crime Victimization Survey, and the challenges of public perception versus reality in crime trends. Piquero also highlights the intersection of sports and crime research, emphasizing the need for accurate data collection and communication. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Alex Piquero's journey into criminology was serendipitous.What is the role of the Bureau of Justice Statistics in crime data collection?Top revelations from the National Crime Victimization Survey.How all data has inherent weaknesses that must be acknowledged.What are the implications of crime data reporting in the US not being mandatory? The importance of visual communication in crime data reporting.Public perception of crime often differs from statistical reality.What is an essential point of balancing data with human stories in discussions about crime?The interesting trends revealed in Piquero's research, which intersects sports and crime.How Alex views the future of crime data collection with potential budget cuts looming.Alex R. Piquero is Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology and Arts & Sciences Distinguished Scholar the University of Miami and previously served as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one of the nation’s thirteen federal statistical agencies (appointed by President Biden, June 2022). Dr. Piquero is a nationally and internationally recognized criminologist with more than 26 years of experience. Over the course of his career, Dr. Piquero has given congressional testimony on evidence-based crime prevention practices and has provided counsel and support to several local, state, national and international criminal justice agencies and elected leaders. His expertise ranges from criminal careers to criminal justice policy and crime prevention to the intersection of race/ethnicity and crime, with a focus on quantitative methodology. Dr. Piquero has published over 500 scholarly articles and several books and is among the most highly cited criminologists in the world. He also served as editor of the Journal of Quantitative Criminology and the Justice Evaluation Journal. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. In 2019, he received the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Bruce Smith Sr. Award for outstanding contributions to criminal justice, and in 2020, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Division of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology of the American Society of Criminology. Resources: Learn More about Alex Piquero Follow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    40 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    The Jeff-alytics 2025 Year in Review

    This was a banner year for the Jeff-alytics universe and it's time to recap it! In this episode, host Jeff Asher reflects on three conversations this year that really resonated. This episode highlights the gap between public perception and actual data and emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives in shaping our understanding of crime and public safety. The episode features insights from various guests–Michael Lewis (Storyteller), Larry Krasner (District Attorney), and Susan Parker (Researcher). These conversations focus on points like the personal impacts of crime, the narratives that shape public opinion, and the infrastructure behind crime data collection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What does the data say, despite the “doom and gloom” crime coverage? How understanding crime requires looking beyond just the numbers.How types of personal experiences shape our understanding of crime and justice.Can language reinforce stigma or restore dignity?The aspects Policymakers often miss when faced with realities of justice-impacted families.What infrastructure behind crime data is crucial for accurate understanding?How crime reporting in the US is not mandatory and leads to gaps in data.The importance of acknowledging the imperfections of data in communicating crime trends.What should be considered when discussing the human impact behind data points?How telling stories from the inside out can change public perception.Resources: Jeff Asher SubstackJeff Asher LinkedInFollow the Jeff-alytics Podcast: Instagram: @RealTimeCrimeIndexLinkedIn: Real-Time Crime IndexWebsite: The Jeff-alytics Podcast

    12 min
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Can data uncover the real story of crime and justice in America?  Jeff Asher—nationally recognized crime data analyst, co-founder of AH Datalytics, co-creator of the Real Time Crime Index, and author of the Jeff-alytics Substack—sits down with policymakers, academics, journalists, and everyday people to reveal what the numbers actually show. Each episode challenges the myths we believe, exposes the gap between headlines and reality, and asks: what happens when we finally see crime clearly?  New episodes drop every other week! Visit ahdatalytics.com to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    AH Datalytics
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Jeff-alytics Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Jeff-alytics Podcast