Gang Violence Reduction Project Update

• NCJ Number: 149233
• Author(s): D M Torres
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 27 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: California Dept of the Youth Authority
• Sale Source: California Dept of the Youth Authority
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis evaluates the continued impact of the Gang Violence Reduction Project (GVRP) on reducing homicides.

Abstract

The GVRP was created in 1976 to reduce gang violence in the East Los Angeles unincorporated area. It teaches conflict resolution to gang members in seven barrios, offers recreational activities, and involves juveniles in counseling and community improvement activities. To assess the project's impact, the report analyzes trends in gang related homicides. It compares homicides in which members of GVRP barrios are suspects to (1) homicides involving other gangs in the East Los Angeles unincorporated area and (2) homicides involving gangs in the Los Angeles County area under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department. The findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of GVRP in reducing gang-related homicides. The homicide trends for the three studied areas were similar before 1976; however, after the project began in 1976, the trend fell for the GVRP barrios and has remained at a low level through 1984. The trend for other barrios in East Los Angeles and county-wide, however, continued to rise sharply until 1982. The report includes statistical charts and 7 bibliographical references.