NCJ Number
148221
Date Published
1994
Length
118 pages
Annotation
This book summarizes the findings of the Conference on Urban Violence, which brought together leading scholars on violence along with citizens and public officials engaged in efforts to counter it.
Abstract
To provide a way for participants to focus on potential strategies and interventions rather than a restatement of the problem, the conference was organized as a problemsolving exercise, using a case study approach. The participants were sent the case study prior to their arrival at the conference with instructions that they would be asked to develop realistic steps that could be taken by the major and other leaders of a fictional city in response to the city's increase in violence. Participants were divided into five task forces, each led by an urban mayor. Each conference task force deliberated and developed a set of recommendations to guide the mayor of the fictional city. The reports were presented and discussed at the conference's closing plenary session, which also included a discussion of the Federal role in preventing local violence. This report summarizes the conference discussions. There was wide agreement on the assumptions and general objectives that should guide strategic responses to urban violence at the neighborhood, city, State, and Federal levels. The conference generated ideas about organizational innovations to increase the effectiveness of local governments in supporting community-based responses and Federal efforts in supporting local responses. Appended conference case study and summaries of conclusions in recent studies of violence