Focus Deterrence Strategy Analysis

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The focus deterrence strategy was developed by Dr. David Kennedy and it was implemented in Boston during the 1990s (aka: Operation Ceasefire). The goal of the strategy was to halt serious gang violence in the city (National Institute of Justice, 2013). The focus deterrence strategy is also referred to as “pulling levers” policing, because “they seek to apply every lever available, whether formal or informal, in deterring offenders” (National Institute of Justice, 2013, p. 2). Many police agencies have utilized the focus deterrence strategy because it target drug dealers, suppliers and criminal activity. According to Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (2013), The overall idea of focused deterrence strategies is that police can increase…show more content…
The following results from Braga and Weisburd (2012) revealed: (1) 63% reduction in youth homicides in Boston; (2) 44% reduction in gun assault incidents in Lowell; (3) 42% reduction in gun homicides in Stockton; (4) 35% reduction in homicides of criminally-active groups members in Cincinnati; and (5) 34% reduction in total homicides in Indianapolis (p. 19). The pulling levers focused deterrence tactic was an effective approach to crime prevention in the aforementioned cities; however, Braga and Weisburd (2012) “urged caution in interpreting the results because of the lack of more rigorous randomized controlled trials in the existing body of scientific evidence on this approach” (25). Focus deterrence combines a mixture of community oriented- policing and problem-oriented policing. The strategy is rooted in the community where the police conducts community mediation for support; furthermore, the strategy also engages cooperation from the community to build collective efficacy and reduce levels of victimization (Braga & Weisburd,

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