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Researchers at the University at Albany are tackling an issue impacting communities across the Capital Region and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording 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\u2019ve been keeping records,\u201d said Northwestern University sociology professor Andrew Papachristos.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d Papachristos explained.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSixty percent have seen someone shot at while on the job,\u201d said David Hunreau, a professor at UAlbany\u2019s School of Criminal Justice. \u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the course of their careers, 2.2% of outreach workers that we surveyed have been shot at and in, on work hours,\u201d Hunreau said.<\/p>\n
Researchers are hoping data like this can be used to bolster CVI programs across the country, and, in turn, reduce gun violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really gives the balance and necessary tools to not only manage these teams, but understand these teams,\u201d said Joshua Coakley, an interventionist with Target Area in Chicago. \u201cAnd get them the balance they need to continue the work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group will scrutinize programs in several New York communities this summer, including Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Albany.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to understand the average American city, too, whose rates of gun violence are potentially higher than Chicago,\u201d Papachristos said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n