NCJ Number
188092
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
May 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the findings of a process and impact evaluation of the Municipal Drug and Gang House Enforcement Pilot Program, a multi-agency effort in Chicago that used a nuisance abatement ordinance to address criminal gang and drug activity in specific areas.
Abstract
The program allowed the city to hold property owners accountable for some of their tenants’ criminal activities. The program targeted multi-unit dwellings. The process evaluation involved a description of the operations and implementation experiences. The impact evaluation used data on reported incidents of gang, narcotics, violent and property index, and criminal damage to property offenses over 12 months before and after program implementation and during a 4-month intervention period when inspections began at targeted buildings. The data covered 54 sites. Results revealed that the city implemented the program as planned and that most staff dissatisfaction related to resources and not to personnel, political, or systemic problems. In addition, the program had the intended impact across all crime categories for the 54 buildings studied. The reduction was most pronounced for reported narcotics offenses. The downturns in targeted crimes also continued well after the inspection teams left the targeted areas. Findings indicated that the program was successful, but more rigorous evaluation would be needed before concluding that replication of the program citywide would also result in successful outcomes. Figures, table, and footnote