Researchers study community violence intervention strategies
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Researchers at the University at Albany are tackling an issue impacting communities across the Capital Region and beyond.
“According to CDC estimates, more than 45,000 Americans were killed by gun violence in 2020, which represents the largest uptick in one year since we’ve been keeping records,” said Northwestern University sociology professor Andrew Papachristos.
There is a wide range of preventative measures being taken in different parts of the country, including community violence intervention, or CVI. But research shows most are unfamiliar with the work.
“This is an approach that relies on nonprofit agencies, professionals, residents of communities impacted by gun violence who are willing to accept the role of a peacemaker,” Papachristos explained.
What You Need To Know
- Researchers at UAlbany and Northwestern University are studying community crime intervention programs
- Most interventionists are found to be exposed to extreme levels of gun violence, according to researchers
- The study will be expanded this summer to include cities such as Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany
In partnership with Northwestern University, UAlbany researchers found 192 interventionists across 15 organizations in Chicago are exposed to extreme levels of violence and are often first on the scene.
“Sixty percent have seen someone shot at while on the job,” said David Hunreau, a professor at UAlbany’s School of Criminal Justice. “And for 44 percent of them, this has happened in the last 12 months. Thirty-two percent of them have seen someone shot and hit on the job.”
Many of the people in the line of work are middle-aged Black men who are not only witnessing shootings, but are finding themselves in the line of fire.
“Over the course of their careers, 2.2% of outreach workers that we surveyed have been shot at and in, on work hours,” Hunreau said.
Researchers are hoping data like this can be used to bolster CVI programs across the country, and, in turn, reduce gun violence.
“It really gives the balance and necessary tools to not only manage these teams, but understand these teams,” said Joshua Coakley, an interventionist with Target Area in Chicago. “And get them the balance they need to continue the work.”
The group will scrutinize programs in several New York communities this summer, including Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Albany.
“We need to understand the average American city, too, whose rates of gun violence are potentially higher than Chicago,” Papachristos said.
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