Poster #107 - Focused Deterrence Neighborhood Outreach: Evidence from Dallas

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Focused deterrence is a crime intervention strategy designed to prevent future violence among high-risk individuals. This is done by 1) emphasizing the legal and social consequences of continued engagement in crime, including enhanced prosecution, and by 2) offering social services to eligible individuals. The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has been implementing a variety of violent crime reduction strategies since 2021; focused deterrence is one component. Over time, the DPD has developed Focused Deterrence Neighborhood Outreach (FDNO), which is based upon the Philadelphia Group Violence Intervention strategy and was designed to overcome the inability to mandate attendance at call-in sessions for clients on probation or parole. FDNO involves a partnership between DPD, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and social service providers who deliver the focused deterrence message to eligible clients at their homes. This involves a brief intervention in which eligible clients are told about the legal ramifications if they continue engaging in crime and are offered resources, such as job training, counseling, or access to transportation, to reduce the likelihood of future crime. This poster will provide an overview of FDNO and its initial results.

Authors

• Stephanie M. Cardwell, The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Brandon Tregle, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Michael Smith, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Rob Tillyer, University of Texas at San Antonio