Operation Peacekeeper (Stockton, CA, USA)
Axios
Policing
Problems addressed
Homicides
Armed violence
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a police program aimed at adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 years to reduce gang involvement and associated urban violence.
The Stockton Police Department reassigned officers to a special unit to communicate a clear message about the consequences of violence and the risks of gang involvement. In addition, social workers interacted with the youth and their families, offering them jobs and services to improve their education.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the program reduced homicides with firearms by approximately 35%. The monthly average dropped from 2.9 to 1.9 homicides during the term of Operation Peacekeeper, between 1997 and 2002. After this period, there was an increase to 2.1 incidents per month [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Braga, A. A. (2008). Pulling levers focused deterrence strategies and the prevention of gun homicide. Journal of criminal justice, 36(4), 332-343.

Information source