BUILT ENVIRONMENT + CRIME REDUCTION
In November 2020, the John Jay Research & Evaluation Center published Reducing Violence Without Police: A Review of Research Evidence, describing policies, programs, and research that show violence in communities can be reduced without policing, rather by investing in communities and community-serving organizations.
Violence in the community should be addressed with community-level interventions that focus on the health and safety of whole populations and not only high-risk individuals. Below are seven strategies identified as key areas for non-policing interventions and policies.
improve the physical environment
Green spaces invite local residents to meet and become more invested in their relationships with each other and their surroundings. This idea is in alignment with the goals of the Healthy Neighborhoods Project, which aims to provide evidence that improving the physical environment of neighborhoods can reduce community violence in New Orleans.
strengthen anti-violence social norms
The way communities and peers model conflict resolution influences people’s attitudes and behaviors on how to address issues themselves. Displaying ways to resolve issues constructively and without violence will result in safer communities.
ENGAGE AND SUPPORT YOUTH
Positively engaging youth, creating economic opportunities and early professional development for youth are some structured, and effective interventions that can reach beyond the individual and contribute to youth well-being and result in increased community safety.
reduce substance abuse
Community-level interventions, in addition to individualized treatment, can reduce substance abuse as well as community violence.
mitigate financial stress
Helping families avoid financial stress and negative income shocks may lead to reduced violence. Mitigating short-term economic insecurity can reduce community violence.
reduce the harmful effects of the justice process
Communities should ensure that operations of the justice system do not add to violence
problems.
confront the gun problem
Firearm availability is associated with rates of homicide across the U.S. Reducing firearm availability limits access to those who might be inclined to use them to commit violence or to those who are vulnerable to unintentionally harm themselves or others.