Measuring Attitudes and Activities within Chicago’s Gang Networks: Lessons from the Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy Evaluation

• In Event: Challenging Data Collection: Working with Gang-involved and Violent Youth and Adults

Abstract

The Urban Institute, in partnership with Yale University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, has been conducting and evaluation of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Strategy (VRS) since 2011. VRS is a focused-deterrence strategy intended to reduce shootings by members of gangs, groups and crews in Chicago. This presentation focuses on the collection of survey and interview data from individuals in the gang/group networks and/or who have attended VRS “call-in” meetings. The focus of the presentation will be lessons learned from the development and implementation of study efforts to identify, reach and engage this challenging population and better understand how VRS was or was not impacting their attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, we will discuss crafting a multi-modal data collection approach based on an understanding of the population to be reached and the local context, partnering with local agencies to recruit subjects and conduct surveys, and implications for how to design field research to deepen knowledge regarding the dynamics of urban gangs.

Authors

• Jesse Jannetta, Urban Institute

• Jocelyn Fontaine, Urban Institute

• Justin Breaux, Urban Institute

• Sam Taxy, Urban Institute

• Isela Banuelos, Urban Institute

• Jeremy Levy, Urban Institute

• Ariel Sankar Bergmann, Urban Institute