The Anti-Gang Initiative in Detroit: An Aggressive Enforcement Approach to Gangs

Authors

Timothy S. Bynum, Michigan State University
Sean P. Varano, Roger Williams UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Comments

In: Policing Gangs and Youth Violence (p. 214-238). published by Sage Publications.

Abstract

Over the period of the intervention and operation of the-AGI project, there was a considerable decline in gun crimes in the target precincts, whereas the number of such offenses rose in the comparison precinct. This was particularly the case in the Ninth Precinct, where a statistically significant reduction of gun crimes occurred. Perhaps more importantly, this reduction represented 112 fewer gun crimes, and thus a commensurate fewer number of victims, per month in this precinct. Given the design of this study and available data, these results cannot be directly attributed to the intervention. However, there is a strong indication that these aggressive policing tactics contributed significantly to this meaningful reduction.

Recommended Citation

Bynum, T.S., and Varano, S.P. 2002. “The Anti-Gang Initiative in Detroit: An Aggressive Enforcement Approach to Gangs.” In Gangs, Youth Violence and Community Policing, edited by S.H. Decker. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.