The Violent Gang Problem in Chicago: A Local Community Approach

Abstract

A pilot project to reduce gang violence in one of Chicago's most violent communities appears to have been modestly successful. The unique characteristics of the Crisis Intervention Services Project (CRISP) were its emphasis on crisis intervention, particularly surveillance and street mediation of gang conflicts, within a community development framework, that is, use of various elements of community: former gang leaders; local conventional groups and organizations, including the police; and graduate students. A combination of strategies was employed: social control, social support, improved communication, and provision of limited opportunities. The project resulted in a curb of serious gang-related Part I crimes, particularly aggravated assault and battery. There was no evidence that crime or delinquency was generally reduced. There was some evidence that a crisis and surveillance approach was more effective than a traditional counseling approach in the reduction of gang-related violence in a subgroup of serious juvenile offenders.