This paper summarizes the results of an impact evaluation of a Focused Deterrence (FD) violence reduction intervention deployed in Philadelphia.
This document provides an overview of the Focused Deterrence (FD) violence reduction intervention deployed in Philadelphia. The FD intervention, which began in fall 2012, is a collaboration between the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the District Attorney’s Office (DAO), the Mayor’s Office, the Adult Probation and Parole Department (APPD), Juvenile Probation, and several other city, state and federal agencies. FD had a significant effect on shootings across the target area. In the 24 months following the implementation of FD in April 2013, the targeted neighborhoods witnessed a statistically significant reduction in fatal and nonfatal shootings over and above comparison neighborhoods. Comparing the 24 months before FD was implemented to the 24 months after FD, shootings were reduced by 35% in South Philadelphia. Shootings in the matched comparison areas increased 6% over the same period. The FD strategy did not show significant effects on the specific gangs subjected to the intervention. Although two of the gang-level models showed statistically significant reductions in shootings in a half-mile buffer area around the turfs of FD gangs, the majority of statistical models, and the more rigorous tests of gang-level reductions in shootings did not reveal significant reductions in gang shootings. With a focus on preventing gang-related shootings, FD provides the city with an opportunity to direct and deploy law enforcement and civil resources in a manner believed to best protect at-risk communities. FD strategies seek to reduce firearm violence through a wide range of enforcement and deterrence strategies. Driven by a multi-agency, collaborative approach to law enforcement, FD utilizes a strategic problem-solving policing model that is based on rigorous research evidence. FD, originally developed in Boston, MA, is a flexible approach to proactive crime prevention originally designed to combat gang-related shootings and has been replicated in dozens of jurisdictions nationwide.