Homicide Prevention Within the Black Community - Public Health and Criminal Justice Concerns (From Homicide Among Black Americans, P 231-237, 1986, Darnell F Hawkins, ed. - See NCJ-105234)

• NCJ Number: 105243
• Author(s): R Davis; D F Hawkins
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: University Press of America
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Public health and criminal justice aqencies should cooperate in preventing homicides in the black community, given the serious public health threat which homicide poses to blacks.

Abstract

The prevention of homicide among blacks has been largely ignored by both public health and police officials due to the low priority given black life among public officials and the attitude that black homicides are not preventable. Prevention efforts should include law enforcement-oriented educational programs and the funding of research designed to facilitate effective law enforcement interventions. Public health agencies in cooperation with mental health agencies should sponsor demonstration projects and workshops that will develop and disseminate information to counter homicide among blacks. Local groups within the black community must also encourage non-law enforcement programs designed to reduce violent behavior. This could include mediation centers to mediate conflicts and public awareness programs. Government and private research funding agencies should fund more research, both basic and applied, on the etiology of homicide among blacks and strategies for reduction. 5 notes and 7 references.