Cancer Research Techniques Help Police Crack Down on Car Theft

In a groundbreaking collaboration, police in Portland, Oregon, are partnering with cancer researchers to combat car theft, leading to a significant increase in arrests and a 50% reduction in reported vehicle thefts over the past 15 months. The partnership between the Portland Police Bureau and the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University applies data-driven techniques used in cancer research to identify patterns in stolen vehicle cases.

Why this matters: This innovative approach to policing demonstrates the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration to drive meaningful change in law enforcement, and its success could pave the way for similar partnerships to tackle other complex crimes. As law enforcement agencies face increasing pressure to adapt to emerging challenges, this project serves as a model for leveraging expertise from diverse fields to improve public safety.

The initiative was spearheaded by Officer Michael Terrett, who sought a more strategic approach to addressing the steep rise in stolen cars in Portland in 2019. Terrett joined forces with Dr. Jeffrey Tyner, a professor at the Knight Cancer Institute, to develop a list of characteristics commonly associated with stolen vehicles, such as missing license plates, altered trip permits, and tinted windows. Tyner's team then analyzed the data to determine the probability of certain vehicles being stolen.

The data-driven strategy has yielded impressive results since its implementation in 2022. "If we can apprehend that vehicle with that person in the car, we are likely - as our statistics have shown - going to take a gun off the street," said Officer Terrett. Terrett's statement continued, "There is likely a person in that vehicle with an active arrest warrant that we can take into custody. And who knows what we have just stopped from occurring in the community."

Under the new approach, one out of every four vehicles pulled over turns out to be stolen, compared to the previous rate of one in 31. Officers have also reported finding an illegal gun in every 26 cars, a significant improvement from the prior rate of one in 144. Dr. Tyner emphasized the adaptability of data science techniques, stating, "Data is data... They were interested in using data - obviously for very different purposes. But data is data."

The success of the partnership has garnered attention from law enforcement agencies across the country. The Portland Police Bureau recently received a three-year, $800,000 Smart Policing grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to formalize their collaboration with OHSU and continue refining their data analysis methods. Police departments as far away as Wisconsin are now seeking to learn from Portland's innovative tactics.

The collaboration between the Portland Police Bureau and the Knight Cancer Institute showcases the potential for interdisciplinary partnerships to drive innovation and effectiveness in law enforcement. By leveraging data-driven techniques and expertise from seemingly unrelated fields, police can develop more targeted, efficient strategies to combat crime and improve public safety. As the project continues to yield positive results, it may serve as a model for other law enforcement agencies looking to adopt data-driven approaches to policing.

Key Takeaways

• Portland police partner with cancer researchers to combat car theft, leading to 50% reduction in reported thefts.
• Data-driven approach identifies patterns in stolen vehicle cases, increasing arrests and recovered guns.
• One in four vehicles pulled over are stolen, and one in 26 have an illegal gun, compared to previous rates.
• Partnership receives $800,000 grant to continue refining data analysis methods and share with other agencies.
• Innovative approach showcases potential for interdisciplinary collaboration to drive change in law enforcement.