Javier Lopez
Analytics Manager
Expertise
Javier Lopez is an Analytics Manager at the Crime Lab, where he serves as a technical leader bridging research leadership and analytic staff by translating research design into executable analytic work. He is currently the technical lead for an evaluation examining the impact of gunshot detection technology on shooting lethality. Javier also leads an analytics team responsible for delivering analysis and data-driven tools to executive leadership, policymakers, the media, and violence reduction stakeholders across the public safety sector.
His prior work at the Crime Lab includes research on the 50-year decline in homicide arrest rates in Chicago, an evaluation of a recidivism reduction initiative, and technical support for the impact analysis of a national policing management training program. He has also been embedded with partners at CFD and CPD, providing technical assistance analytics to support operational and strategic decision-making.
Prior to joining the Crime Lab, Javier served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including more than four years deployed overseas. Following his military service, he worked as a Data Quality Analyst for a pension fund. Javier holds a bachelor’s degree in Decision Analytics from DePaul University.
Webinar: Overview of the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard
The Crime Lab hosted a webinar that explored the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard—a publicly available tool launched to support efforts to reduce gun violence through transparent, real-time data.
2025 End-of-Year Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
Violent crime declined substantially in 2025 across the country, including in our home city of Chicago – which experienced 168 fewer homicides through mid-December 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Summer Safety Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
These data visualizations present our summer safety analysis on Chicago crime trends.
2024 End-of-Year Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
Gun violence remains one of the most pressing challenges in America but there are signs of progress.
Chicago Fire Department Technical Assistance
Crime Lab data analysts were embedded in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) to generate data dashboards and visualizations using data from patient care reports.
Violence Reduction Dashboard
The Violence Reduction Dashboard (VRD) is a publicly available visualization and analysis tool that provides greater transparency and accessibility to near-real-time violent crime data in the city of Chicago.
Latest Updates
Overview of the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard
The Crime Lab hosted a webinar that explored the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard—a publicly available tool launched to support efforts to reduce gun violence through transparent, real-time data.
Researchers: ShotSpotter helps gunshot victims receive rapid first aid. Does that change the debate?
Read the Crime Lab’s latest op-ed sharing new analysis on ShotSpotter, Chicago’s gunshot detection system.
