Reference: Braga, A. A., Pierce, G. L., McDevitt J., Bond, B. J., & Cronin S. (2008). The strategic prevention of gun violence among gang-involved offenders. Justice Quarterly, 25, 132-162.

Strategy: Pulling levers

Matrix Dimensions:
X-axis: Groups
Y-axis: Focused
Z-axis: Highly Proactive

Results: Statistically significant success
Significant decline in monthly gun homicide and gun-related assault; this effect was unique when compared to other Massachusetts cities

Methodological Rigor: Moderate- comparison to similarly sized Massachusetts cities

Abstract (from NCJRS): Problem-oriented policing has been suggested as a promising way to understand and prevent complex gang violence problems. A number of jurisdictions have been experimenting with new problem-oriented frameworks to understand and respond to gun violence among gang-involved offenders. These interventions are based on the “pulling levers” deterrence strategy that focuses criminal justice and social service attention on a small number of chronically offending gang members responsible for the bulk of urban gun violence problems. As part of the US Department of Justice-sponsored Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, an interagency task force implemented a pulling levers strategy to prevent gang-related gun violence in Lowell, Massachusetts. Our impact evaluation suggests that the pulling levers strategy was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the monthly number of gun homicide and gun-aggravated assault incidents. A comparative analysis of gun homicide and gun-aggravated assault trends in Lowell relative to other major Massachusetts cities also supports a unique program effect associated with the pulling levers intervention.