Problem Solving and Youth Violence: an Evaluation of the Boston Gun Project

Author: Piehl, A.M. / Kennedy, D.M. / Braga, A.A.
Publication: American Law and Economics Review
Topics: Age Group Homicide Law Enforcement Legislation and Policy Local
Keywords: Firearm trafficking HOMICIDE Problem Solving youth violence.
Bibliographic information +

The authors evaluate the impact of the Boston Gun Project, a partnership between researchers, criminal justice and other practitioners, aimed at reducing homicide victimization among youths in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Interventions employed by this initiative include strategic multifaceted response to gang violence, prevention of illegal firearms trafficking, and effective communication of the strategy to generate deterrence. These interventions resulted in a 60% decline in youth homicide victimization and smaller drops in other measures of violence. The decline in youth homicide rates was dramatic and coincided with the introduction of the initiative. The authors suggest that applying the basic principles of strategic problem analysis to a significant public safety issue like youth gun violence, with multiple stakeholders and the community collaborating and using a multidimensional approach, can yield significant dividends in crime prevention.