Reducing Homicide through a

Author: McGarrell, Edmund F. / Chermak, Steven / Wilson, Jeremy M. / Corsaro, Nicholas
Publication: Justice Quarterly
Topics: Homicide Law Enforcement Legislation and Policy
Keywords: CRIME CRIMINOLOGY GANGS HOMICIDE SOCIAL work education
Bibliographic information +

The authors explored the effects on violent crime resulting from a “lever-pulling” strategy in Indianapolis from 1998-1999. “Lever-pulling” referred to attempts by criminal justice officials to deter future violent behavior of chronic offenders by informing them that violence will not be tolerated and will be met with an unprecedented law enforcement response. The message was backed up by using all legally available sanctions against the targeted offenders. Homicides were reduced by 34.3% following the April 1998 intervention. Homicides dramatically declined in the spring and summer of 1999 and have been relatively stable since that time.