Center for Public Safety Innovation
The University of Baltimore’s Center for Public Safety Innovation (CPSI) is a nationally renowned applied research center within the College of Public Affairs designed to support community safety initiatives by leveraging nationally recognized policy experts, advocates, and scholars dedicated to identifying best practices and policies to reduce violence and drug trafficking.
CPSI’s mission is to invest in and evaluate practices that impact and reduce violence and drug trafficking in communities. We are a unit funded exclusively through external grants that include a robust grant portfolio of federal, state, and non-profit funded activities. As the home of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (W/B HIDTA) program, we remain at the forefront of research and best practices designed to disrupt and dismantle drug and money laundering activities connected to an international network of law enforcement and public health professionals dedicated to saving lives. This activity uniquely positions the CPSI to leverage resources effectively making significant impacts across the country.
CPSI Sponsored PROJECTS
- Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (W/B HIDTA)
- Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP)
- Combating Overdose Through Community Level Intervention (COCLI)
- Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC) Support
- Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network
- Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
- City of Milwaukee Drug Project
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
Learn more about CPSI's sponsored projects.
CPSI TEAM
Jeff Beeson serves as the executive director for The University of Baltimore’s Center for Public Safety Intervention (CPSI). His responsibilities include oversight of the center and the various projects it manages, with a focus on reducing the proliferation of drugs and violence in our communities. Mr. Beeson oversees grant acquisition, budget development and monitoring, and project performance managing relationships with a network that includes federal, state, and local government agencies as well as non-profit organizations.
As executive director of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (W/B HIDTA) program, Mr. Beeson oversees administration of the HIDTA program, including the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP), the Overdose Response Strategy, training, and special projects.
Prior to joining UBalt, Mr. Beeson served as assistant vice president for applied research at Towson University, overseeing a portfolio of federal and state grants and contracts supporting workforce and public safety initiatives. He was appointed to several positions within Maryland state government, including the Maryland Department of Public Safety, and began his career as a member of U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski’s staff. Mr. Beeson has a master’s degree in social sciences, with a focus in criminal justice.
John Cook is the deputy director/chief of staff of CPSI. He has 25 years of professional experience in the field of criminal justice, including executive level management in criminal intelligence and law enforcement, and leading criminal investigations. He currently manages the W/B HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC), which supports investigations to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations by directing highly skilled analysts and detectives who develop tactical, operational, and strategic intelligence products. The ISC also works in partnership with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies to share information and develop innovative solutions to solve criminal justice problems.
Mr. Cook has served as the Maryland State Police (MSP) North East barrack commander, where he managed all police barrack operations, resources, and staff, while functioning as the primary MSP official in the area. He also served as the firearms licensing commander, and was responsible for developing and implementing policy related to firearms regulations. Throughout his career, Mr. Cook worked in investigative units, including such positions as the homicide unit assistant commander, and supervisor of the “Project Cease Fire” firearms investigation unit.