Pulling levers in New Haven, CT: an analysis of the TimeZup initiative and its impact on murder, robbery, and assault

PurposeThis study examines the effect of TimeZup – a lever pulling strategy designed to reduce gun violence in New Haven, Connecticut.Design/methodology/approachA series of ARIMA and dynamically complete models are estimated to determine if TimeZup was associated with any significant changes in New Haven's murder, firearm robbery and firearm assault rates. A quasi-experimental design is also used to compare New Haven to six, similarly situated cities in the Northeastern United States.FindingsThe results indicate that New Haven experienced a significant decrease in its firearm robbery rate in the summer of 1997 – a date that preceded TimeZup but coincided with other lever pulling strategies implemented by the New Haven Police Department.Originality/valueAlthough an older program, TimeZup was not rigorously analyzed. After the conclusion of the program, basic pre- and post-comparisons suggested TimeZup was effective. Using a rigorous methodology, this study shows it was not. This study points out that interventions such as TimeZup often coincide with pre-existing crime reduction strategies. Evaluators should account for those pre-existing strategies because it may be those strategies – and not the intervention being examined – that are impacting crime rates.

Policing repeat domestic violence: Would focused deterrence work in Australia?

Focused deterrence approaches to domestic violence have been developed in the US to increase offender accountability and ensure appropriately targeted responses to victims. While innovative, the model has strong theoretical and empirical foundations. It is based on a set of fundamental principles and detailed analysis of domestic violence patterns and responses. This paper uses recent Australian research to explore the feasibility of adapting this model to an Australian context. Arguments in favour of the model, and possible barriers to implementation, are described. Based on an extensive body of Australian research on patterns of domestic violence offending and reoffending, and in light of recent developments in responses to domestic violence, this paper recommends trialling focused deterrence and ‘pulling levers’ to reduce domestic violence reoffending in an Australian pilot site.

“We’re Brokers”: How Youth Violence Prevention Workers Intervene in the Lives of At-Risk Youth to Reduce Violence

This study explores the strategies youth violence prevention workers (YVPWs) employ to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth. Data drawn from 47 in-depth interviews with YVPWs in a large city in the northeastern United States revealed five main strategies they use to reduce violence, namely (1) sharing information with other YVPWs, (2) collaborating and networking with the community, (3) “being a presence” and building relationships with clients, (4) responding to clients’ conflicts and crises, and (5) providing clients and their families with resources and advocacy. Focused deterrence theory and pulling levers strategy are used to explain the findings and policy and program recommendations are discussed.