Operation Thumbs Down (Los Angeles)
Axios
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is an FBI anti-gang strategy. The aim is to reduce violent crime in communities by identifying and dismantling violent groups through collaboration with federal agents, specialized analysts, and police officers.
The strategy consists of monitoring gang members for about a year using cameras, wiretaps, witnesses, and tip-offs to track down the organization’s leaders. Once the gang has been dismantled, the intervention offers community assistance and urbanization services, as well as a community event to raise awareness regarding gang violence.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed a 22% reduction per month in violent crime between the treatment and comparison areas [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Ratcliffe, J. H., Perenzin, A., & Sorg, E. T. (2017). Operation Thumbs Down: A quasi-experimental evaluation of an FBI gang takedown in South Central Los Angeles. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-01-2016-0004

Information source