NCJ Number
242424
Date Published
August 2012
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This process evaluation was conducted in order to determine the role and function of the California Cities Gang Prevention Network (the "Network") for the 13 cities that compose it, as well as strengths and areas that need improvement.
Abstract
The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) - in partnership with the National League of Cities' (NLC) Institute for Youth, Education, and Families - launched the Network for the purpose of reducing gang violence and victimization, mortality, and morbidity, as well as to develop a statewide policy agenda for assisting promising local efforts. The 13 participating cities pledged to forge and implement comprehensive, citywide plans that interweave prevention, intervention, enforcement, and the community's "moral voice." The Network emphasizes peer-to-peer learning, data-driven approaches, and collaboration among key city stakeholders. The process evaluation found that the Network's results have exceeded the initial expectations of NCCD and NLC. In a short time, a network of urban leaders has created a network in which they work with and learn from peers in advancing local comprehensive gang-violence reduction strategies. All of the cities have established stakeholder teams led by the mayor or designee and a high-ranking police department official. Citywide strategic gang-violence reduction plans have been developed. Many of the Network cities are interested in expanding the Network to other cities. Although cities did not initially include reentry as a part of their strategic plans, it became clear that reentry is a major piece of Network cities' gang violence prevention strategies. The process evaluation explored the Network changes during its first 3 years (2007-2009). Data collected included an assessment of internal and external forces throughout the life of the Network; site visits to all the cities; and interviews with 60 team members, stakeholders, and community-based organizations.