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Combating the High Murder Rate in East St. Louis: A Look at Two Programs

NCJ Number
177408
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1998 Pages: -
Author(s)
T Hahn
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This is a summary of program evaluations of the East St. Louis Anti-Drug Initiative and the Homicide and Violent Crime Strike Force in Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL.
Abstract
The Anti-Drug Initiative included both overt and covert units; two assistant state's attorneys specializing in drug trafficking cases originating in East St. Louis and a financial investigator to assist with identification of assets subject to seizure and forfeiture; specialized probation program and additional probation officers; alternative sentencing program; substance abuse treatment program; and services of agencies outside of the criminal justice system. The Homicide and Violent Crime Strike Force program, a joint effort with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Attorney, focused on decreasing the high number of homicides and other violent crimes in the area. The number of homicides in East St. Louis decreased dramatically subsequent to the implementation of the two programs. In addition, the efforts had a clear impact on public perceptions of community safety. Figures