Press Release for the Howard and Carol Safir Foundation Public Safety Research Initiative Grant Program
[CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 3, 2025] The University of Virginia’s Center for Public Safety and Justice (“the Center”) is proud to announce its partnership with the Howard and Carol Safir Foundation (“HCSF”): the HCSF Public Safety Research Initiative Grant Program, which is designed to support the development of practical, innovative solutions to urgent and complex challenges in public safety.
This partnership honors the legacy of Howard Safir, a transformational leader whose distinguished career spanned more than three decades. Mr. Safir served as New York City’s Police Commissioner and Fire Commissioner and held senior leadership roles in the U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Safir was dedicated to addressing issues in urban policing, drug enforcement and cross-jurisdictional coordination. He was widely respected for championing innovative, data-informed, community-centered strategies that strengthened public trust, improved outcomes, and elevated the standards of professional practice across agencies.
To carry forward Mr. Safir’s legacy of leadership and service, the Safir family - led by his wife, Carol Safir, and his children, Jennifer and Adam Safir - established the HCSF and partnered with the Center to advance his vision for public safety grounded in excellence, innovation and impact. The Center addresses complex public safety challenges through education, collaboration, research and innovation, all of which strengthen public service and communities in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
Through this initiative, the Center and the HCSF will support research collaborations and field-based innovation that reflect Mr. Safir’s core values: operational excellence, interagency coordination, technological advancement and a deep commitment to community well-being. Led by researchers and public safety practitioners, this joint initiative will explore emerging challenges and generate real-world strategies that can be implemented in the field to improve safety and justice outcomes.
The Center and the HCSF are honored to advance this mission and contribute to long-term, evidence-based improvements in public safety nationwide. Together, the organizations will share other opportunities for research, dialogue and collaboration focused on these and other pressing issues.
For all media inquiries, please contact Ben Haiman at ben.haiman@virginia.edu or Joshua Ederheimer at joshua.ederheimer@virginia.edu. And for more information on philanthropically supporting the HCSF Public Safety Research Initiative Grant Program, contact Jessica Robertson at jrobertson@virginia.edu.
About UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies
The University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies helps working adults finish their degrees and advance their careers. The School offers a variety of online and in-person programs including bachelor’s degree completion programs, professional certificates, a master’s in public safety, and other career accelerators. The School believes there are many paths to a great education and brings high-quality, accessible, and affordable education to working adults across the country.
About UVA’s Center for Public Safety and Justice
UVA's Center for Public Safety and Justice connects research, education and partnerships that advance effective responses to public safety challenges, both nationally and globally. The Center aspires to build a trusted network of professionals dedicated to creating safer communities through excellence, integrity and forward-thinking solutions.
The Center's mission is to challenge future public safety leaders and key stakeholders to improve public service and strengthen community wellbeing in a rapidly changing world. The Center aims to address complex challenges through education, collaboration, research and innovation, strengthening public service and communities.