Here is a sampling of evidence-based solutions for preventing and interrupting gun violence. See jfp.ms/stopviolence for links to learn more.
• Cure Violence: This public-health program trains and employs “interrupters”–trusted messengers, often who have been in prisons and gangs, that young people trust to mentor and prevent retaliation without directly involving police. Note: It’s called “CeaseFire” in some cities including New Orleans and Chicago, which is not the same as Operation Ceasefire (below). More: cureviolence.org
• Group Violence Intervention: Originally called “Operation Ceasefire,” GVI shares some principles of Cure Violence (above), but law enforcement is at the center. The program identifies “group” members, brings them into a “call-in” with authorities and “community moral voices,” offering them both services and threatening them with stiff charges if anyone in their group commits violence. More: nnscommunities.org
• Comprehensive Gang Model: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Preventions recommends a set of five core strategies—community mobilization, opportunities provision, social intervention, suppression, and organizational change and development—that offer a comprehensive, collaborative approach designed to prevent and reduce gang violence. Its goal is to transform the societal institutions and conditions that foster gang activity. See: nationalgangcenter.gov
• Multisystemic Therapy (MST): An intensive family- and community-based treatment program that focuses on addressing all environmental systems that impact chronic and violent juvenile offenders–their homes and families, schools and teachers, neighborhoods and friends. MST recognizes that each system plays a critical role in a young person’s world. See: mstservices.com
• Functional Family Therapy (FFT): A family-based prevention and intervention program for at-risk young people ages 11 to 18. The treatment groups show lower recidivism rates; and when the program was delivered by high-adherent therapists the results were even more significant. The program had a positive effect on youth by reducing risky behavior, increasing strengths, and by improving functioning across key life domains. See: fftllc.com
• Capital City Crime Prevention Study (aka the BOTEC reports): The Legislature-funded comprehensive study of Jackson crime suggests multiple solutions specific to Jackson. See: jfp.ms/botec. Additional reports here on schools/school discipline/youth violence and gang prevention
Other programs reviewed at crimesolutions.gov. Read more at jfp.ms/preventingviolence.
Read the JFP’s cover story on preventing murder in the city here.
