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After the murder of George Floyd, a national conversation emerged around the use of local government budgets to support public safety. But does investing more in the criminal legal system produce better public safety outcomes than investing in other sectors such as health, education, or community development? In this webinar, the presenters will share findings  from a forthcoming new study that examines local government spending patterns and their connection to public safety outcomes—specifically suicide and homicide. The study focuses on the 50 most populous counties in the Great Lakes region between 2013 and 2019. Using a unique dataset and rigorous statistical methods, the analysis explores whether counties that invested more in non-carceral services—like health, education, and community development—experienced different public safety outcomes. Presenters will highlight key findings on the relationship between spending and suicide rates, whether reallocating resources affect homicide rates, and the broader implications for policy, budgeting, and advocacy. Featuring panelists: 1. Dr. Aaron Gottlieb, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice 2. Cheryl DiMonte, Doctoral Student, University of Illinois Chicago Jane Addams School of Social Work ***This discussion is part of the Joyce Foundation's monthly virtual Lunch & Learn webinar series. All the webinars in this series are free and open to the public.***