Illicit drug dealers who operate in open-air markets must access customers in the face of risks posed by law enforcement, customers, and competitors. However, researchers purport that the environmental characteristics of certain locations may allow dealers to balance these competing demands. This research utilizes risk terrain modeling to identify the environmental characteristics of drug dealing locations in Chicago, Illinois, and compares these characteristics across different types of drugs. Results show that a number of place features increase the risk of drug dealing. Although many of these features are common to locations for all types of drug dealing, there are some variations. The findings provide insight into the environmental context of drug market locations, which has implications for researchers and practitioners.

Information sharing research has largely focused on capturing operational practices related to the exchange of information. A noticeable shortcoming of this developing literature is the lack of scholarly attention focused specifically on analytic personnel. The present study employs semi-structured interviews with 23 personnel that comprise the analytic unit within a regional fusion center located in a large metropolitan area in the United States. Findings indicate that there is significant ambiguity surrounding the organizational and geographic audiences to which intelligence products should be tailored. Moreover, it appears information sharing is sparse and reliant upon personal relationships between analysts and external organizations. Lastly, analysts do not receive feedback pertaining to the content and effectiveness of intelligence products created. These findings may be generalized to other analytical organizations whose primary goal is to gather, analyze and disseminate intelligence. Action steps for policymakers are provided.

A developing literature on intelligence-led policing (ILP) and law enforcement fusion centers contends that intelligence and data-driven policing practices can be enhanced through improved intelligence dissemination from fusion centers. The literature has remained relatively silent on the extent to which law enforcement has connectivity with fusion centers, perceive fusion center products to be useful, and further share intelligence products within their agency. The present study informs this knowledge gap using data gathered via an online survey of law enforcement subscribed to receive fusion center products. Bivariate logistic regression models showed that rural agencies tend to be the most informed about the fusion center of study while a disconnect was observed between the fusion center with respect to frontline personnel and analysts; especially in urban police, health, and fire organizations. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Consistent with Beutell (1985), Frone, Russell, andCooper (1992) and Frone, Yardley, and Markel (1997) proposed a model that underscored the bidirectional nature of conflict (i.e., work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict)

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