Gang Violence Reduction in Las Vegas, Nevada: A Multi-Intervention Strategy

• In Event: Translating Research to Policy: Lessons Learned from the Second Year of the IACP/UC Center for Police Research and Policy

Abstract

In Las Vegas, Nevada, Gang Member Involved (GMI) homicides, or those homicides in which either the suspect or victim is a documented gang member, increased by 13% in 2016 when compared to the previous year. This presentation describes the implementation of a comprehensive city-wide strategy to reduce gang member involved (GMI) homicides and related gang violence in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a three-intervention strategy which uses a combination of hot spots policing, focused deterrence, and place-based investigations to focus police and city resources on high-risk offenders, victims, and places. We provide preliminary evaluation results of this strategy via its impact on city-wide violence and individual recidivism. Implications for future police strategies and research will be discussed.

Authors

• Tamara D. Madensen-Herold, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• William Sousa, University of Nevada, Las Vegas