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This edited book significantly contributes to the knowledge on how to address gang problems from a broad community perspective, which takes into account criminal justice agencies, social service providers, and community leaders, along with police, who have implemented collaborative anti-gang policies and practices. As community-wide efforts become more common, it is increasingly important to investigate effective strategies to address social problems. Beyond Suppression: Community Strategies to Reduce Gang Violence explores a demonstration project of one state's efforts to reduce gang and youth violence through use of a comprehensive initiative, the Comprehensive Gang Model (CGM). The relevance of the CGM as a conceptual framework to guide gang policy and practice is illustrated throughout the book, and tailored gang reduction strategies derived from that framework and rooted in the ecological constitution of communities are showcased. The chapters highlight implementation strategies employed by various communities using a case study methodology that assists in garnering an in-depth perspective of implementation issues and key dimensions of the CGM. This book answers important questions about how communities operationalize the CGM. The results of these investigations are important for scholars, learners, and practitioners who seek to address gang violence using a customized response.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Gang Reduction Responses
Erika Gebo & Brenda J. Bond
Chapter 2: Mobilizing Non-White Communities to Respond to Gangs
Carolyn Boyes-Watson
Chapter 3: Using Action Research to Support Strategic Thinking and Data-Driven Decision-Making in Gang and Youth Violence Prevention, Intervention, And Suppression in Worcester
Laurie Ross & Ellen Foley
Chapter 4: "Gang": Developing a Collective Problem Definition and Assessment Instrument
Erika Gebo & Kim Tobin
Chapter 5: Street Outreach Workers: Innovative Approaches to Engaging At-Risk Youth
Sean P. Varano & Russell Wolff
Chapter 6: The Fundamental Challenges of Defining and Measuring Retaliatory Gang Violence
Brenda J. Bond, Nicole Rivers-Kustanovitz, & Erin Mclaughlin
Chapter 7: Preventing Serious Gang Violence in Boston: The Role of Strategic Problem Analysis in Guiding the Deployment of Enforcement, Social Services, and Community-Based Resources
Anthony A. Braga & David M. Hureau
Chapter 8: Statewide Impact of the Anti-Gang Initiative
Jack Mcdevitt & Russell Wolff
Chapter 9: Learning from Community Responses to Gangs
Brenda J. Bond & Erika Gebo
About the author
Erika Gebo is assistant professor of sociology at Suffolk University.
Brenda J. Bond is associate professor in the Department of Public Management at Suffolk University.
