March 18,
2009
435
Chicago, IL
60611
Everyone is saddened by the tragedies of the last year which continue to
occur and underscore the severity of violence in our communities. Yet
we remain hopeful that the efforts of many - including law
enforcement approaches, the CeaseFire method and others - will help
reverse this terrible trend.
The
CeaseFire intervention and behavior change method is now statistically
proven as effective for reducing shootings and killings. A scientific
and external evaluation commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice
found that shootings decreased by up to 73 percent in CeaseFire zones. The
study involved four universities which studied eight communities over three
years using four different statistical methods. The effects of this method
have now been replicated 18 times, and are being used by several other cities
as well as
The reason for CeaseFire’s effectiveness is that it interrupts the
“transmission” of violence by employing and training highly credible messengers
to anticipate and prevent shooting events. CeaseFire strategically places
trusted violence interrupters where they have the most impact – detecting and
resolving disputes before they can escalate. CeaseFire’s method also
employs trained and professional outreach workers to work with the highest
risk individuals to fundamentally change their thinking. Additionally, the
method works with the whole community, including residents, clergy, and
community leaders to effect group norms and change behavior.
The evaluation also found this evidence-based program was successful in
providing vital assistance to the highest-risk clients. Specifically, of those
clients requesting assistance 87 percent received help getting a job; 85 percent
in obtaining a high school diploma or GED; and 99 percent received help leaving
a gang.
A substantial part of CeaseFire funds were interrupted over the last year due
to state cuts which affected many other organizations as well. The increase in
shootings in
Thankfully, CeaseFire funds were recently restored due to the efforts of the
Illinois General Assembly. With this funding CeaseFire is back on the streets
mobilized by community partners, and is in the process of rehiring and
training outreach workers in the same 16 communities where CeaseFire previously
worked. However, to have a significant impact on these shootings and
killings a larger effort is necessary so that more communities can be reached. Together
with the CeaseFire community partners across
Sincerely,
Gary Slutkin, M.D., Founder and Executive Director, CeaseFire
Professor of Epidemiology and International Health,