“The lives of Americans were turned upside down in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic and the untimely death of George Floyd,” says Professor Allison Redlich, CLS associate chair. “Dr. Dong’s and his colleagues’ study of firearm violence pro vides much needed insight into the impact of these events.

Beidi Dong, a professor at George Mason University’s department of criminology, law and society, explained that the pandemic imposed burdens on law enforcement. Many departments saw staffing shortages and officers and social service workers were limited in their ability to have face-to-face interactions with citizens that can help prevent crime.

“I don’t necessarily think we have to pick a side,” Dong says. “It is possible that we can keep trouble kids disciplined by not by removing them.” Dong suggests programs within the school, like detention and after-school tutoring and counseling, to reform students rather than toss them on the street.