Statement of the Problem
Violent crime and gun violence impact low-income communities of color in NYC the most. This leads to cycles of incarceration, trauma, and economic strain (City of New York, 2021).
Conventional policing practices are incapable of addressing violence as a public health matter because they ignore its underlying causes, including social disinvestment, economic disillusionment, and tolerance of violence (Slutkin, 2013).
Recent data indicates that while overall crime has decreased, certain neighborhoods experience significant challenges. For instance, in 2024, the Brownsville neighborhood in Brooklyn saw a 50% increase in shootings and a 225% rise in murders compared to the previous year. (New York Post, 2024)
Program Overview
A violence intervention program, Cure Violence NYC, operates under the auspices of the NYC Crisis Management System (CMS) and is supported by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) (MOCJ, 2022).
Cure Violence NYC is based on Chicago's CeaseFire program and employs violence interrupters with criminal justice histories or former gang members to intervene between conflicts and possibly prevent escalation (Skogan et al., 2009).
It relies on credible messengers to create trust and relationships with the targeted population and bridge them to resources such as job training, education, and mental health treatment (City of New York, 2021).
They are locally run by agencies like Bronx Connect, Man Up! Inc., and Life Camp and are deeply embedded in the communities they work within (Cure Violence Global, 2021).
Operates in 21 precincts in NYC, targeting historically disenfranchised neighborhoods with high gun violence rates (MOCJ, 2022).
Goals and Objectives
Decrease gun violence and homicides by interrupting the retaliatory shooting cycle (Butts et al., 2015).
Change community norms by promoting a culture of nonviolence through outreach and conflict resolution(Slutkin, 2013).
Offer alternatives to violence, including work, education, and mental health treatment for high-risk offenders (Webster et al., 2012).
Develop community engagement and faith in non-law enforcement violence prevention efforts (MOCJ, 2022).
Target Population
High-risk offenders, specifically young men (16-30 years old) with violent histories, gang affiliations, or involvement in the criminal justice system (Skogan et al., 2009).
Neighborhoods with high levels of gun violence, such as Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan (MOCJ, 2022).- This is all the boroughs…. Do we have more specific data
Implemented in 21 precincts across NYC, Cure Violence NYC targets neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence. Notably:
46th Precinct, Bronx: In 2024, the 46th Precinct, covering Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights, and Mount Hope, experienced a dramatic surge in violent crime, making it NYC's deadliest area with 27 homicides and 65 shooting victims. The precinct saw major increases in murder (107.7%), rape (54.5%), robbery (9.1%), felony assault (10.9%), and burglary (28.9%) compared to the previous year.
East New York, Brooklyn: In 2023, the 75th Precinct, which patrols East New York, reported 24 homicides, a rate of 25.8 per 100,000 population, significantly higher than the citywide rate of 4.4 per 100,000. The precinct also reported 762 rapes, 696 robberies, 1,079 felony assaults, 354 burglaries, 1,073 grand larcenies, and 551 grand larcenies auto.
Brownsville, Brooklyn: In 2024, Brownsville experienced a 50% increase in shootings and a 225% rise in murders compared to the previous year.
Washington Heights, Manhattan: In 2023, the 34th Precinct, covering Washington Heights, reported 4 murders, 14 rapes, 215 robberies, 349 felony assaults, 151 burglaries, 575 grand larcenies, and 231 grand larcenies auto. The number of crimes committed in these categories fell by 30.2% between 1998 and 2023.
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan: In 2023, the 10th Precinct, covering Hell's Kitchen, reported no murders, 9 rapes, 135 robberies, 159 felony assaults, 137 burglaries, 759 grand larcenies, and 77 grand larcenies auto. The precinct reported a 69.3% decrease in crimes across all categories between 1990 and 2023.
Jamaica, Queens: In 2024, Jamaica experienced periodic surges in shootings, necessitating community-based interventions.
St. George, Staten Island: In 2024, areas like St. George witnessed upticks in violent incidents, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention strategies.
Social networks and family members of vulnerable individuals perpetuate or break cycles of violence (Slutkin, 2013).
Funding from: Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York City Council, New York State’s Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey.
As of 2016, New York City’s Cure Violence programs employed approximately 130 workers, including two dozen program managers and directors, at least 15 supervisors, and more than 80 front-line workers. Before joining Cure Violence, staff members typically undergo a 40-hour training workshop by the National Cure Violence training team.
training in human resources policy, organizational management, and staff supervision techniques.
In the South Bronx, gun injuries declined by 37%, and shooting victimizations decreased by 63%. In East New York, there was a 50% reduction in gun injuries and a 15% decrease in shooting victimizations.
Program Assumptions:
Process assumptions:
Violence interrupters effectively identify and engage high risk individuals
The amount of training violence interrupters receive is sufficient for this program
People will engage with cure violence material
Impact assumptions:
Violence interrupters hold a level of credible authority with which they can convince the at risk people to avoid retaliatory violence
Participation in cure violence community events will change the attendees’ norms on gun violence
The training and counselling provided will be sufficient for at risk youth to reduce their reliance on violent retaliation.
Cure Violence logic model:
