NATIONAL FORUM on YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION October 31, 2011 S. Gregory Baker, former Executive Director Cincinnati Police Department (retired)

300% Increase Homicides in Cincinnati:

WHAT IS CIRV?  City-wide effort initiated April 2007 to dramatically reduce gun violence  Loosely model after Boston’s Operation Ceasefire  Partners community, service providers and law enforcement to deliver key message: The Violence Must Stop

WHAT IS CIRV?  Data Driven Evidence Based Approach  Reduces Incarceration  Strengthens Relationships between Law Enforcement and Communities  Addresses Racial Conflict  Helps Offenders

LAW ENFORCEMENT’S NEW RULES OF ENGAGEMENT  The Violence Problem  When Gun Violence Spikes  When a Homicide Occurs

CIRV PRINCIPLES  A few active chronic offenders commit majority of violence  Offenders loosely organized in groups/gangs  Most violence based on disrespect, reputation, beefs, turf - norms/narratives of the street  Violence can be impacted through group pressure  Sustained communication with streets

Group Members Disproportionately Involved in Homicides: January 2005 – December – 2010 Homicides

 Champion - advocate and elicit support  Professor David Kennedy –expert consultant  Political Endorsement/Support  Administrative Support/Resources  Police Command Staff-top level buy-in and visible involvement  Community Support  Corporate Support  Academic Community Support

Governing Board Strategy/ Implementation Team Enforcement Team (Strategy 1) Services Team (Strategy 2) Community Team (Strategy 3) System Team (Strategy 4) Role: Overall responsibility and key barrier busting Role: Develop/deploy strategy; get resources; monitor results; key decisions Maintain team structure and ownership over time Role: Develop/Execute the action plan for the strategy

IDENTIFY VIOLENT GROUPS  2007: ◦ 68 violent groups ◦ 746 known individuals  2008: ◦ 48 violent groups ◦ 1,169 known individuals  2009: ◦ 68 violent groups ◦ 1,095 known individuals

1. Traditional “Call-in” sessions (offender notification meetings) 8 call-ins since Jul 2007 (28 individual sessions) 568 identified group/gang members have attended 43% have attended multiple sessions 2. Probationer notification meetings 4 meetings since Dec probations attending (average 11 per session) 3. Prisoner notification meetings 4 meetings since Oct 2009 (River City & Lebanon) 168 prisoners attending 4. Community Conversations Union Terminal, Aug 2009 – 42 attendees Freedom Center, Nov 2009 – 50 attendees

5. Community Engagement Events Multiple types of events to engage and empower community members 6. Street Advocate “Violence Interruptions” Jan 2009 – Dec 2010: 75 potentially violent events interrupted 7. Law Enforcement “Home Visits” Since Sep 2008: 508 visits attempted; 163 offenders contacted 36% success rate New tactic – jail and street visits

DELIVER ON THE PROMISES: LAW ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT 17 Groups/Gangs Targeted 223 Physical Custody Arrests 17 Federal Indictments Specific Violent Group/Gang Round-Ups Taliband (Nov 2008) 95 count indictment 71 arrests Largest state gang prosecution in County Madville (Sept 2009)  30 individuals charged with 110 felonies

DELIVER ON THE PROMISES: SERVICES Service Providers  Street Advocates  Professional Rehabilitation Agency  Social Service Agencies  Workforce Development Agencies

Step I Individual calls CIRV Hotline and assigned a Street Advocate. Client screened for violence propensity and develops Life Change Plan. Step II Client taken to rehabilitation service provider to determine risk, need and treatment. Step III The Advocate assists Client in addressing substance abuse, criminogenic behavior and antisocial attitudes. Step IV Client provided pre- employment services. Step V Client enters Workforce Development Services Step VI Advocates continue to provide coaching/mentoring.

Clients Receiving Services 622 clients contacted Street Advocates 325 referred to job training 199 completed job training 104 obtained first job 100 completed at least 75% of their Life Change Plan Clients Receiving Services 93% male 93% Black 84% unemployed 61% less than high school education 69% felony record 99% assessed as high risk for future violent behavior

Goal is to change affected community norms regarding violence: “moral voice” ◦ Empower Neighborhoods to Exert Informal Social Control ◦ Articulate anti-violence pro-social messaging: Gun Violence in not Acceptable ◦ Enlist influential community members to dissuade and “coach” those at risk ◦ Provide support and outreach following violent incidents

 West End Stakeholders Meeting ◦ 50 community members met, organizing crime prevention efforts  Tot Lot Take Back: Reclaiming public spaces for positive use  Community after-care: Intervening with at-risk youth, hot spots  “Mothers for Peace” Walk ◦ 123 Community members participated over Mother’s Day weekend ◦ Participants provided support and access to resources

 “Pastors for Peace” Conference ◦ Faith-based representatives met to address a surge in violence ◦ 33 Avondale community members were recruited and trained to conduct outreach  Community Influencers Training ◦ 3 mothers who lost sons to gun violence were trained to speak at call-ins ◦ Their stories had a visible effect on at-risk offenders

 37.7% reduction in GMI homicides 24 months after CIRV intervention  41.4% reduction in GMI homicides 42 months post implementation  22% reduction in firearm offenses after CIRV intervention Study Period: January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2010 Evaluation Results: CIRV Impact on GMI Homicides

 Mr. S. Gregory Baker ◦