This is a focused deterrence strategy that entails the formation of a multidisciplinary team made up of law enforcers, scholars, doctors, lawyers, defenders, and community leaders. It aims to reduce gang-related homicides and firearm violence.
The intervention strategy is to contact gang members in vulnerable situations to reinforce the severity of punishments for violent crimes, increase the costs of involvement with crime, offer alternatives to involvement with gang activities, such as vocational training for socially vulnerable people and repeat offenders, social skills training, and promotion of social re-education to reduce violence.
Communities with high rates of gun violence and gang domination were approached. A team of promoters recruited at-risk teenagers for social services and involved them in activities related to stopping violence, mediation, and sharing messages and a non-violent attitude in the community.
The community engagement team encouraged community members to participate in various programs and events to strengthen collective ties and informal social control. The team organized violence prevention programs, outreach activities for at-risk youth, funerals and vigils, educational training, and other events aimed at community engagement.