A 24-Month Assessment of Shooting Victimization in Lansing, MI: Pre- and Post-Advance Peace

• In Event: Crime Prevention Panel 1

Abstract

This study examines trends in shooting victimizations in Lansing, Michigan, over a 24-month period before and after the implementation of the Advance Peace Lansing initiative. Advance Peace Lansing, launched in October 2022, is a community-based violence intervention program aimed at reducing cyclical and retaliatory gun violence through mentorship and targeted outreach. This assessment utilizes data from the Lansing Police Department on fatal and non-fatal shootings between 2019 and 2024 to evaluate the program’s impact.

Findings indicate a 19% reduction in total shooting incidents citywide following the implementation of Advance Peace, with fatal shootings declining by 52% and non-fatal shootings decreasing by 10%. The Southwest sector, the initial focus of Advance Peace, experienced a 33% decline in overall shootings. The analysis also reveals that gun violence in Lansing follows national trends, disproportionately affecting Black males aged 18-24, with peak incidents occurring between midnight and 4:00 AM. In 2024, 25% of fatal shootings and 14% of non-fatal shootings were classified as cyclical or retaliatory, underscoring the need for targeted intervention strategies.

While preliminary results suggest that Advance Peace contributed to a measurable reduction in gun violence, additional research using quasi-experimental methods is necessary to isolate program effects from broader crime trends. The study highlights the importance of localized, data-driven interventions in addressing firearm-related harm and advancing community safety. These findings have significant implications for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations seeking to implement evidence-based violence prevention strategies.

Author

• Paul Elam, Michigan Public Health Institute