Disrupting Drug Markets and Reducing Violence: Evaluating Focused Deterrence in Santa Fe, Argentina

• In Event: Crime prevention, reoffending and organized crime

Abstract

Santa Fe, Argentina, faces a persistent homicide crisis, driven by violence in open-air drug markets, particularly in Rosario and Santa Fe City. In response, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the provincial Ministries of Security and Justice, is launching the Multi-agency Initiative for Violence Reduction. This initiative applies a "pulling levers" focused deterrence strategy, mobilizing law enforcement, community leaders, and social services to directly confront violent offenders, enforce swift legal consequences, and offer alternatives to crime. This study evaluates the initiative’s effectiveness. Using Synthetic Control Matching, the impact evaluation measures how well the strategy reduces violent crime in targeted districts compared to similar areas without the intervention. A process evaluation examines how agencies coordinate efforts, identify key offenders, and engage communities in violence prevention. By assessing the strategy’s ability to disrupt drug markets and lower homicide rates, this research provides critical insights into adapting focused deterrence for Latin America.

Authors

• Joel A Capellan, John Jay College

• Hung-En Sung, John Jay College of Criminal Justice