Focused Deterrence is a multi-faceted evidence-based approach that first identifies groups or individuals who are driving gun violence and then provides collaborative intervention strategies. Law enforcement, community advocates, and community members deliver a shared message directly to these groups/individuals (through formal call-ins and/or custom notifications) that they will be receiving extra attention through enhanced accountability and support. The goal of focused deterrence is to change violent behavior and save lives—both victims and offenders. Focused deterrence approaches may include interventions such as Group Violence Interventions, Offender Call Ins, and Offender Notification Meetings. For this approach to be the most effective, the community must be involved in offering up services to address gun violence.
Specific programs and implementation sites:
- Kansas City, MO
- Chicago’s group violence reduction strategy, Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence, Cincinnati, OH
- Operation Ceasefire, Multiple Cities
- Project Exile, Richmond, VA
- Project Longevity, New Haven, CT
Helpful resources and citations:
- Applying Evidence-Based Policing Practices: Homicide Violent Crime Reduction
- Focused Deterrence of High Risk Individuals Guide, Strategies for Policing Innovation
- A Case Study in Hope: Lessons from Oakland’s Remarkable Reduction in Gun Violence, Giffords Law Center
- Live Free Campaign, PICO Network
- National Network for Safe Communities, John Jay College
- Offender Notification Meetings: PSN Case Study
Primary implementing agency:
- Law enforcement
Potential partnering agencies:
- No partners required
Links to evaluation evidence:
- Focused deterrence strategies effects on crime: A systematic review, Effective
- Focused deterrence strategies, Promising
- Operation Ceasefire, Boston, MA, Effective
- Operation Ceasefire, Oakland, CA, Effective
- Focused deterrence strategies and crime control: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of the empirical evidence, Effective
PSN Pillars
Community Engagement
Focused and Strategic Enforcement
Prevention and Intervention