The Devil is in the Details: Comparing and Contrasting Divergent Violence Reduction Programs

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

Abstract

Encouraged by the success of Boston’s Operation Ceasefire in the mid-1990s, numerous cities have now implemented some variation of the original strategy. While the names and descriptions of these various gang violence reduction efforts have varied across time and jurisdiction, the identification of their underlying components allows for a general classification as either CJ-based focused deterrence strategies, or community-based public health models. Often times these different approaches use the same name (e.g., Ceasefire) adding to the confusion regarding the evidence of their effectiveness. While there has been a systematic review and critique of a high profile public-health based initiative (Chicago Ceasefire) (Papachristos, 2011), and a favorable meta-analysis of focused deterrence (Braga & Weisburd, 2012), there have been no systematic empirical comparisons across the two types of strategies. Moreover, a systematic review of the underlying differences may help determine which programmatic elements are necessary for violence reductions. This paper will examine the theoretical underpinnings, implementation details, methodological rigor, and overall empirical support for each strategy.

Authors

• Sam Peterson, University of Cincinnati

• Samantha Henderson, University of Cincinnati

• Jeffrey E. Clutter, University of Cincinnati

• Robin Engel, University of Cincinnati