Using Growth Curve Modeling to Measure the Impact of Custom Notifications in a Focused Deterrence Initiative

• In Event: Making it Work: Research on the Mechanisms of Focused Deterrence Gang Initiatives

Abstract

Custom offender notifications are a narrowly focused, short-term deterrent designed to complement the other notification methods used in focused deterrence initiatives. During custom offender notifications, law enforcement officers visit targeted offenders and deliver an individualized anti-violence message directly to them. Focused deterrence programs are increasingly integrating this type of notification as a means of deterring violent behavior in between forums or call-ins. However, little is currently known about the effects of this strategy. Preliminary research using propensity score matching indicated that custom offender notifications had mixed effects on violence. To expand on this finding, the present study uses growth curve modeling to assess the outcomes of two types of custom offender notifications used over several years as part of the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence.

Authors

• Samantha Henderson, University of Cincinnati

• Murat Ozer, University of Cincinnati

• Robin Engel, University of Cincinnati

• Sam Peterson, University of Cincinnati