Program Goals/Target Sites
A geographically based focused deterrence intervention was implemented in a midwestern city, with the goal of reducing gun violence, particularly gang-related gun violence (Kochel, Nouri, and Samadi 2022). The dual place- and person-based components of focused deterrence strategies typically target gang networks and areas that suffer from high amounts of gang and gun violence.
In the two years leading up to the focused deterrence intervention implementation (starting in January 2015), 92 percent of the homicides in the jurisdiction were committed using a firearm. Additionally, 56 percent of gun homicides were gang-related, compared with 20 percent, on average, in large cities nationally. The target area was selected using official police data on the number of shots fired during a specific period of time. The police department looked at the density of confirmed shots fired, to identify an area where gun violence was both high in density and persistent over time.
Program Components
This program featured both place- and person-based components. The goal of place-based, or geographically focused, efforts was to both alter the choices of gang-involved shooters and to impact perceptions of community residents where shootings take place (Kennedy 2009). The place-based component began in May 2018 and focused on interacting with the residents of the target area about gun violence and gang activity. One method was through “knock-and-talks,” in which teams consisting of police officers, plain-clothes detectives, and civilian volunteers went door-to-door to provide residents with brochures about the focused deterrence intervention and to discuss violence in the area. Intervention project staff also attended community barbecues to engage with residents and talk more about the program. Additionally, following high-profile shootings in the target area, police employed saturation patrols and intensive surveillance of focused deterrence targets and their gang-involved associates.
The person-based component also began in May 2018. A multidisciplinary team of criminal justice partners, social service representatives, community members, and city leaders selected 28 people with repeat gun offenses to be brought into the initiative. These individuals were selected based on three criteria: 1) their status as an impactful gang member/associate, 2) the number and frequency of their recent firearm offenses, and 3) their perceived potential involvement in future violent crimes and behaviors. The ages of the individuals were between 17 and 28, and they were associated with two local gangs. Of the 28 selected, 24 participated in the project. Between May 2018 and April 2019, the participants attended three call-in meetings, where they were warned that penalties for future gun crimes had been drastically increased and that future gun crimes committed by them, or their associates would result in intensive, targeted patrols. The goal of these call-in meetings was for those selected to pass along this message to their social networks and associates. In addition to providing these warnings, the intervention provided participants with access to social and educational services, to help them avoid future violent behavior and desist from gang activity. Examples of services included mentorship; job placement and training; anger management counseling; transportation to interviews and jobs; and assistance to gain access to food, obtain a driver’s license, or find housing. Impact speakers, including victims of gun violence, family members of victims, or previous gang-involved shooters gave talks about their personal experiences (Kochel, Nouri, and Samadi 2022).
Program Theory
Focused deterrence is based on deterrence theory, which states that people are less likely to commit a crime if they believe that the costs of committing the crime outweigh the potential benefits (Kochel, Nouri, and Samadi 2022). The theory posits that individuals are deterred from committing a crime when the certainty, celerity, and/or the severity of the punishment is perceived to be too great. Through the call-in meetings, the individuals with repeat gun offenses were warned about the certainty, celerity, and severity of penalties for gun crimes and were to spread this message to their social ties, which would therefore deter them from committing future crimes.
