Tristin Smith
Tristin Smith is a research assistant at the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), where she works on the Center’s “Close Up on the UP” project. She is a third-year in the School of Information majoring in Information Analysis and minoring in Digital Studies and is part of the U.P. Scholars Program. Tristin is interested in researching the intersection between technology and education.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, small-town policing is finding a balance between tradition and technology. From body cameras to drones, U.P. law enforcement agencies have rapidly adopted new tools over the past decade–boosting safety and accountability while navigating questions about privacy, cost, and community trust. Tristin Smith explores how these innovations are reshaping rural policing and what it means for the close-knit communities that define the U.P.
Charging Into the Future: Can EVs Thrive in the UP?
Electric vehicles remain a rare sight in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula due to limited charging infrastructure, cold climate challenges, high vehicle costs, and slow-moving local policy. But with the right investments and political will, EV adoption in the UP could unlock new economic and environmental opportunities for the region.
Beyond the Bubble: Perceptions of Drug Crime in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Tristin Smith, research assistant at the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), explores the prevalence of drug crime in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, highlighting how isolation contributes to the issue and calling for greater awareness, local action, and support for at-risk communities.
