Briefs
The Hidden Crisis: How Poverty Drives Crime in Rural Oklahoma
Explore the hidden crisis of rising crime in rural Oklahoma, driven by deep-rooted poverty and economic decline. Our latest report reveals how these challenges, compounded by substance abuse and racial disparities in law enforcement, are impacting small towns across the state. Discover the urgent need for targeted solutions to improve safety, health, and economic stability in these often-overlooked communities.
Concentrated Disadvantage Index Brief
Oklahoma incarcerates its citizens at one of the highest rates on Earth, but the state maintains a crime rate far higher than the national average. Instead, Oklahoma’s response to crime is worsening poverty and making communities less safe. Struggling neighborhoods desperately need more public investment and policy innovation to address the root causes of crime. New data and analysis around “areas of concentrated disadvantage” show that one of the most worrisome impacts of persistent community poverty is violent crime.