NCJ Number
160952
Date Published
1995
Length
209 pages
Annotation
The impact of the Chicago Gang Violence Reduction Project on 86 targeted youth contacted or served by the program was evaluated after an almost 2-year period.
Abstract
The project aimed to reduce violent gang crime, including gang homicides, aggravated gang batteries, and aggravated gang assaults among hardcore gang youth ages 17- 25 in Little Village, a community southwest of the downtown Chicago business center. The project used a collaborative approach involving police, adult probation, community youth workers, and a local community organization, using a set of integrated strategies consisting of gang suppression, social intervention, provision of social opportunities, and community mobilization. Data were collected through self- reports, a self-esteem inventory, a Wide-Range Achievement Test, and various measures of major delinquency and crime, as well as interviews with workers. Results revealed that the gang youth in the program reported involvement in a significantly lower of violent behavior after 1 to 1.5 years of program service. Participants also regarded community levels of gang and nongang crime as significantly reduced at the second time period. Gang members tended to gradually withdraw their commitments to gang structure and processes over time. Findings also provided ample and consistent evidence or marginal psychological status. Findings indicated that the program was substantially effective with the targeted youths. Tables and footnotes