NCJ Number
148530
Date Published
1978
Length
105 pages
Annotation
The Gang Violence Reduction Project, operated by the California Youth Authority, aimed to mitigate gang feuds and provide positive activities in which gang members could become involved, including various recreational programs.
Abstract
This outcome evaluation measured the homicide and overall violent crime rates among gangs in the Los Angeles area and between gangs and non-gang members. Data were obtained from records kept by the East Los Angeles Sheriff's gang unit. Violent incidents were defined as those in which physical force was used or in which there was a threat of injury. Results showed that, during the first 11 months of the project, there was a 15 percent reduction in gang-related murders, which had been rising for 3 years, and a 60 percent decrease in between-gang murders. However, the number of other gang-related violent crimes continued to rise slightly. The analysis also showed that outside influences including the media, formal and informal organizations in the community, and the Youth Advisory Administration and institutions, affected and were affected by the project's processes and outcomes. 15 tables and 16 notes