Proactive Prevention Strategies, LLC

08/31/2026

🎙️ From Call-Taker to Problem-Solver: Crime Prevention That Actually Works

I recently had the opportunity to join John Gabrielson of the Crime Reduction Institute on The Blue Line Project podcast for a conversation about something I believe strongly in: how we move beyond simply responding to crime and begin thinking more strategically about preventing it.

John and I discussed evidence-based and problem-oriented approaches to crime reduction, what “what works” really means in practice, how we should think about and measure success, and the importance of turning good ideas and research into strategies that officers and agencies can realistically use.

One of the things I continue to emphasize in my work is that effective crime prevention does not have to be overly complicated, nor does it belong only to large agencies with significant resources. It starts with understanding the problem, using the information and evidence available to us, choosing responses that make sense for that specific problem, and then being willing to evaluate whether what we did actually worked.

I really enjoyed the conversation and appreciate John Gabrielson for inviting me onto the podcast and giving me the opportunity to share some of my experiences and perspectives.

If you work in policing, public safety, crime analysis, or crime prevention, I hope you’ll take some time to listen. More importantly, I hope the conversation gives you something you can take back and apply in your own agency or community.

🎧 Watch/listen here:
Episode 14: From Call-Taker to Problem-Solver: Crime Prevention That Actually Works⁠
https://youtu.be/4raof3H6od8?is=zgKbh3WkNGf1z9Gl

Smarter Policing. Safer Communities.

In this episode we cover:Why crime prevention units and initiative...

08/10/2026

I’ve always believed that staying connected, continuing to learn, and surrounding yourself with people who are willing to share ideas and challenge the way we think are important parts of professional growth.

I’m proud to be a member of:
• IADLEST - International Assn of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards & Training,
• ILEETA - International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, and
• ASEBP - American Society of Evidence-Based Policing.

Each of these organizations aligns closely with the work I continue to do through training, consulting, writing, and outreach — promoting practical and evidence-based approaches to policing, improving training and professional development, and helping agencies think more proactively about public safety.

These memberships are also about continuing to learn. There are a lot of talented people doing great work across this profession, and I value the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, build relationships, and continue expanding my own knowledge along the way.

There is always more to learn, more people to learn from, and more ways we can help move the profession forward.

Smarter Policing. Safer Communities.

07/27/2026

For those of us who believe in evidence-based policing, problem-oriented policing, and proactive crime prevention, this is worth reading.

Whether you’re talking about focused deterrence, data-driven decision-making, place-based strategies, community partnerships, or violence reduction initiatives, one thing continues to stand out: when agencies focus on the people, places, and problems driving violence—and work together with the right mindset, tools, and partners—they can make a measurable difference.

The strategies highlighted here aren’t about simply reacting to crime after it occurs. They’re about understanding why problems are happening, identifying the underlying conditions, coordinating resources, and implementing interventions that have been shown to work.

No single strategy solves every problem, and no single agency can do it alone. But when law enforcement, analysts, prosecutors, probation, community organizations, educators, public health professionals, and local leaders work from the same evidence-informed playbook, communities become safer.

This is why I continue to advocate for evidence-based policing, problem-oriented policing, focused deterrence, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), strategic analysis, and meaningful partnerships. Prevention is rarely the result of one program or one person—it is the result of many people consistently applying proven strategies over time.

The data matters. The partnerships matter. The mindset matters.

If we’re serious about reducing violence, we should continue investing in approaches that are supported by evidence and measured by results.

Article:

Governor Hochul announced that gun violence in communities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative decreased 19 percent during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

07/27/2026

What if some of our most persistent problems continue not because people are failing to work hard—but because no one has imagined another way?

When the same calls, victims, locations, and conditions keep returning, responding cannot be the end of our thinking.

My newest PPS Reflections article is:
'A Failure of Imagination: Before We Can Prevent Differently, We Must Think Differently'

It is about moving beyond a call-taker, report-writer, case-closer, or service-delivery mindset and taking the time to ask deeper questions, connect the pieces, involve the right people, and develop realistic strategies that address more than the immediate incident.

The message applies to every rank and role—not only in law enforcement, but also to analysts, service providers, community leaders, neighborhood groups, property owners, local officials, and other partners whose knowledge and perspective may help reveal what others are missing.

Not every problem requires a complicated plan. But recurring problems deserve more than recurring responses.

Please take a few minutes to read it. If you believe the message is important or relevant to others, please feel free to share it with your colleagues, organization, agency, community partners, or professional network.

**Read it on my website:**
https://www.proactivepreventionstrategiesllc.com/post/a-failure-of-imagination-before-we-can-prevent-differently-we-must-think-differently

**Read or share it on LinkedIn:**
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/failure-imagination-before-we-can-prevent-wwo2c

Some of the most persistent problems in our communities are not caused by a lack of effort. Officers respond, reports are written, services are provided, arrests are made, complaints are documented, and resources are deployed.

07/17/2026

I’m honored to have been invited by the Oneida Library to showcase my books as one of their local authors. Even more meaningful is knowing they will soon be available for anyone in the community to borrow and read.

For 20 years, I had the privilege of serving the City of Oneida in many roles at the Oneida City Police Department. While my role has changed since retiring, my mission has not. Through Proactive Prevention Strategies, LLC, I continue working with law enforcement agencies and communities across the country to help build safer communities through proactive, evidence-based crime prevention.

One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that law enforcement can’t do it alone. Crime prevention is most effective when communities are informed, engaged, and working alongside their local agencies. That’s why having these books available at our public library is so meaningful to me—they’re not just resources for law enforcement, but for anyone who wants to better understand how everyone can play a role in preventing crime before it happens.

A sincere thank you to the Oneida Public Library for supporting local authors and for helping make these resources available to our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity and hope these books continue to educate, inspire, and encourage partnerships that make our neighborhoods even stronger.

The Oneida Public Library was pleased to welcome local author Michael S. Burgess, M.S.S., who visited the library to present copies of his two books, Proactive Crime Prevention: A Practical Understanding of What, Why, and How and The Comprehensive Field Guide to Proactive Crime Prevention, for inclusion in our collection.

Mike has been an Oneida resident since 2005 and served the community for 20 years with the Oneida City Police Department, retiring as the department’s Criminal Investigations Division Sergeant. Following his retirement, he founded Proactive Prevention Strategies, LLC, and has continued working with law enforcement agencies and communities across the country to advance practical, proactive approaches to crime prevention.

His books emphasize that law enforcement cannot prevent crime alone. Residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, and local leaders all have an important role in identifying concerns, strengthening partnerships, and helping prevent problems before they become more serious.

Both books will now be available soon for members of the public to check out and read. We are proud to support a local author whose work and continued service remain focused on building safer, stronger communities. Thank you for stopping by and graciously donating your books!

07/15/2026

This is a great, short video that captures an important truth:

We can’t arrest our way out of every problem. Lasting public safety comes from understanding why crime occurs and proactively addressing the conditions that allow it to happen.

That’s the foundation of the work I do every day—helping agencies move beyond simply responding to crime and toward preventing it.

This Reducing Crime is definitely worth the watch.

Link:

Fixing the right broken windows 45.mp4The paper referenced is: Braga, A. A., Schnell, C., & Welsh, B. C. (2024). Disorder policing to reduce crime: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Criminology & Public Policy, 23, 745–775. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12667The IACP Evidence-2-A...

07/09/2026

Today, I had the opportunity to visit FCC Florence in Colorado and speak with a group of staff and officers about proactive crime prevention, my experiences in law enforcement, and the work I am doing now to bring practical prevention strategies to those doing the work every day.

This visit was especially meaningful because I started the first two years of my career working in a county jail. I learned a lot of important lessons there that I carried with me throughout my career. I never forgot where I came from, or the work officers do every day inside jails, prisons, and correctional facilities.

Public safety happens both inside and outside the walls, and correctional staff are an essential part of that mission. I appreciated the opportunity to tour one of the facilities, speak with officers, answer questions, and hear their interest in learning more about how proactive approaches can help address, deter, and prevent crime, disorder, harm, and repeat problems.

Thank you to the staff at FCC Florence for inviting me in, for the hospitality, and for the work you continue to do. I hope the books are informative, useful, and encouraging as you continue serving in a challenging and important public safety role.

Smarter Policing. Safer Communities.