NATIONAL FORUM

 on 

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION 

October 31, 2011

 S. Gregory Baker, former Executive Director

Cincinnati Police Department (retired)

300% Increase

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        - City-wide effort initiated April 2007 to dramatically reduce gun violence
        - Loosely model after Boston’s Operation Ceasefire
        - Partners community, service providers and law enforcement to deliver key message: 

The Violence Must Stop

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        - Data Driven Evidence Based Approach
        - Reduces Incarceration
        - Strengthens Relationships between Law Enforcement and Communities
        - Addresses Racial Conflict
        - Helps Offenders

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        - The Violence Problem
        - When Gun Violence Spikes
        - When a Homicide Occurs 

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        - A few active chronic offenders commit majority of violence
        - Offenders loosely organized in groups/gangs
        - Most violence based on disrespect, reputation, beefs, turf - norms/narratives of the street
        - Violence can be impacted through group pressure
        - Sustained communication with streets

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2005 – 2010 Homicides

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        - Champion - advocate and elicit support
        - Professor David Kennedy –expert consultant
        - Political Endorsement/Support
        - Administrative Support/Resources
        - Police Command Staff-top level buy-in and visible involvement
        - Community Support
        - Corporate Support
        - Academic Community Support

Role: Overall responsibility and key barrier busting

Role: Develop/deploy strategy; get resources; monitor results; key decisions

Maintain team structure and ownership over time

Role: Develop/Execute the action plan for the strategy

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        - 2007:

  68 violent groups

746 known individuals
        - 2008:

     48 violent groups

1,169 known individuals
        - 2009:

     68 violent groups

1,095 known individuals

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Traditional “Call-in” sessions (offender notification meetings)

8 call-ins since Jul 2007 (28 individual sessions)

568 identified group/gang members have attended

43% have attended multiple sessions

Probationer notification meetings

4 meetings since Dec 2009

45 probations attending (average 11 per session) 

Prisoner notification meetings

4 meetings since Oct 2009 (River City & Lebanon)

168 prisoners attending  

Community Conversations

Union Terminal, Aug 2009 – 42 attendees

Freedom Center, Nov 2009 – 50 attendees

Community Engagement Events

Multiple types of events to engage and empower community members

Street Advocate “Violence Interruptions”

Jan 2009 – Dec 2010: 75 potentially violent events interrupted

Law Enforcement “Home Visits”

Since Sep 2008:  508 visits attempted; 163 offenders contacted

36% success rate

New tactic – jail and street visits

ENFORCEMENT

17 Groups/Gangs Targeted

223 Physical Custody Arrests

17 Federal Indictments

Specific Violent Group/Gang Round-Ups

Taliband (Nov 2008)

95 count indictment

71 arrests

Largest state gang prosecution in County

Madville (Sept 2009)

30  individuals charged with 110 felonies

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Service Providers
        - Street Advocates
        - Professional Rehabilitation Agency
        - Social Service Agencies
        - Workforce Development Agencies

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Step I

Individual calls CIRV Hotline and assigned a Street Advocate. Client screened for violence propensity and develops Life Change Plan.

Step II

Client taken to rehabilitation service provider to determine risk, need and treatment.

Step III

The Advocate assists Client in addressing substance abuse, criminogenic behavior and antisocial attitudes.

Step IV

Client provided pre-employment services. 

Step V 

Client enters Workforce Development Services

Step VI

Advocates continue to provide coaching/mentoring.

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Clients Receiving Services

622 clients contacted Street Advocates

325 referred to job training

199 completed job training

104 obtained first job

100 completed at least 75% of their Life Change Plan

Clients Receiving Services

93% male

93% Black

84% unemployed

61% less than high school education 

69% felony record

99% assessed as high risk for future violent behavior 

	Goal is to change affected community norms regarding violence: “moral voice”

Empower Neighborhoods to Exert Informal Social Control

Articulate anti-violence pro-social messaging: Gun Violence in not Acceptable 

Enlist influential community members to dissuade and “coach” those at risk

Provide support and outreach following violent incidents

        - West End Stakeholders Meeting

50 community members met, organizing crime prevention efforts

Tot Lot Take Back: Reclaiming public spaces for positive use

Community after-care: Intervening with at-risk youth, hot spots
        - “Mothers for Peace” Walk

123 Community members participated over Mother’s Day weekend

Participants provided support and access to resources

        - “Pastors for Peace” Conference

Faith-based representatives met to address a surge in violence

33 Avondale community members were recruited and trained to conduct outreach
        - Community Influencers Training

3 mothers who lost sons to gun violence were trained to speak at call-ins

Their stories had a visible effect on at-risk offenders

37.7% reduction in GMI homicides 24 months after CIRV intervention

41.4% reduction in GMI homicides 42 months post implementation

22% reduction in firearm offenses after CIRV intervention

Study Period: January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2010

Evaluation Results:

CIRV Impact on GMI Homicides

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        - Mr. S. Gregory Baker

BakerSG7@aol.com