Identifying and Measuring Gang Incidents: Implications for the Implementation and Evaluation of Focused Deterrence Strategies

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

Abstract

The success of focused deterrence initiatives in reducing violence has now been well established. An integral aspect of evaluating this success, however, is directly related to the identification of gang members, and the measurement of gang-related incidents. How police agencies define gangs, and whether incidents are coded as gang related, gang motivated, or gang-member involved has a dramatic influence over the reported success of these initiatives. In this study, we examine the intricacies involved in these measurement issues. We also compare gang and violent incident definitions and measures both within and across four police agencies implementing focused deterrence strategies, including the Cincinnati Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, Oklahoma City Police Department, and the Toledo, Ohio Police Department. We discuss the difficulties in coding gang incidents, and how these measurement issues can impact both implementation and evaluation.

Authors

• Jeffrey E. Clutter, University of Cincinnati

• Robin Engel, University of Cincinnati

• Murat Ozer, University of Cincinnati

• Nicholas Corsaro, University of Cincinnati