Testing a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence: An Evaluation of Crown Heights Save Our Streets, a Replication of the Cure Violence Model

• NCJ Number: 241019
• Author(s): Sarah Picard-Fritsche; Lenore Cerniglia
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 49 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: Center for Justice Innovation
• Sale Source: Center for Justice Innovation
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This is a process and impact evaluation of the Save Our Streets (SOS) gun violence prevention program launched by the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center (central Brooklyn, NY) and the Center for Court Innovation in January 2010.

Abstract

Results indicate that gun violence in Crown Heights decreased by 6 percent following the program's implementation, compared to an 18- and 28-percent increase in comparison areas. Although the 6-percent decline was not statistically significant in and of itself, when compared with the upward trend in the comparison precincts, the relative difference between Crown Heights and the other neighborhoods was significant. The analysis suggests that gun violence in Crown Heights was 20-percent lower than what it would have been had gun violence trends mirrored those of similar, adjacent precincts. In implementing the features of the Chicago Ceasefire Initiative, SOS targeted a relatively small group of high-risk individuals who were identified as perpetrating a majority of violent crimes. Similar to previous public health strategies for addressing problems such as smoking or seatbelt use, SOS reflected the Ceasefire model's attempt to modify community norms regarding gun violence. Following the Ceasefire model, SOS attempted to identify and engage individuals deemed to be at high risk for future violence, using street outreach by "credible messengers" with experience in the target neighborhood and knowledge of local gang or street conflicts. In a departure from the Chicago model, SOS staff members were also responsible for conducting conflict mediation ("violence interruption"); the Chicago model assigned conflict resolution as a distinct role filled by separate staff members. SOS followed the Chicago model in mobilizing community leaders, clergy, residents, and law enforcement in the effort to change community-wide norms and perceptions regarding gun violence. The methodology used in the process and impact evaluation are described. Extensive tables and figures, 19 references, and appended community survey questionnaire