Focused deterrence is a law enforcement strategy that’s been around for nearly two decades. Some cities use it to curb violence, and sometimes it’s successful.
It works like this: pick a crime problem to tackle like homicide or a root cause like drug trafficking. Next, find out who’s part of the problem and then offer those people an incentive to change like jobs, drug treatment or state IDs. And if those particular people slip up again, give long prison sentences.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Ashley Luthern, who is part of our Precious Lives team, traveled to Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City chose to address gang or group related homicides using focused deterrence in the form of a quarterly meeting, also known as a call-in.
Corresponding Content:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Focused crime strategy finds early success. Can it work in Milwaukee?
