Safe Streets
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Modeled after Chicago's successful Ceasefire program, Safe Streets is a grassroots violence prevention intervention in which program outreach workers mediate conflicts between individuals or groups before violence occurs. Several community organizations have been contracted by the City of Baltimore to implement the program in the city's most violence-prone districts. Outreach workers are familiar with the community in which they work, and many have first-hand experience with "life on the streets." By canvassing neighborhoods and connecting with high-risk youth and young adults to diffuse situations, the workers reduce the chance that a shooting will occur. At-risk individuals are also referred to educational opportunities, employment training, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment services.
Safe Streets is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Safe Streets is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Goal / Mission
To combat the epidemic of violence among Baltimore’s youth and support traditional public safety strategies using a combination of public health and human service models to reduce violence.
Impact
It was estimated that the program was associated with 5.4 fewer homicide incidents and 34.6 fewer nonfatal shooting incidents during 112 cumulative months of intervention post observations.
Results / Accomplishments
In an evaluation of Safe Streets by researchers from John Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence, a statistically significant reduction in gun violence was found in three out of four program areas studied. Homicides decreased by 56% in Cherry Hill and by 26% in McElderry Park during implementation of the program, and nonfatal shootings were reduced by 34% in Ellwood Park. The evaluation also surveyed youth regarding their attitudes towards violence, and found that those who live in a program area were less likely to find it acceptable to use a gun to settle a conflict compared to youth in neighborhoods without the program. Of youth who were clients of outreach workers, 88% got help finding a job, 95% received help getting into school or a GED program, 100% were helped to resolve family conflicts, and 80% reported their lives were better as a result of the program.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Baltmore City Health Department
Primary Contact
Lori Toscano
Office of Youth Violence Prevention
1001 E. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
443-984-3566
lori.toscano@baltimorecity.gov
http://www.baltimorehealth.org/youthviolencepreven...
Office of Youth Violence Prevention
1001 E. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
443-984-3566
lori.toscano@baltimorecity.gov
http://www.baltimorehealth.org/youthviolencepreven...
Topics
Community / Crime & Crime Prevention
Community / Civic Engagement
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Civic Engagement
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
Baltmore City Health Department
Source
John Hopkins Bloomberg School
Date of publication
Jan 2012
Date of implementation
Jun 2007
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Baltimore, MD
For more details
http://www.baltimorehealth.org/safestreets.html
http://www.jhsph.edu/preventyouthviolence/field_re...
http://www.jhsph.edu/preventyouthviolence/field_re...
Target Audience
Teens, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities