“It's Getting Crazy Out There”: Can a Civil Gang Injunction Change a Community?*

Abstract

Research Summary:Civil gang injunctions are an increasingly popular gang suppression tactic. This article reports on the first scientific evaluation of the community impact of this strategy. San Bernardino residents in five neighborhoods were surveyed about their perceptions and experience of crime, gang activity, and neighborhood quality 18 months before and 6 months after the issuance of an injunction. Analyses indicated positive evidence of short-term effects in the disordered, primary injunction area, including less gang presence, fewer reports of gang intimidation, and less fear of confrontation with gang members, but no significant changes in intermediate or long-term outcomes except lower fear of crime. Comparison of this injunction area with a previous one suggested that improvements in neighborhood dynamics might accrue over the long term. Negative effects were observed in the secondary, less disordered injunction area. Policy Implications:This study suggests that the strategic suppression of gang member activities may translate into modest immediate improvements in community safety and well-being. Furthermore, the findings suggest that law enforcement use caution regarding the size of an injunction area and the type of gang targeted by the tactic. Coupling an injunction with

Gang change and evolutionary theory

“…While suppression strategies are largely ineffective in dealing with the problem of gangs [40], some suppression tactics do appear to work, at least sometimes. Civil injunctions against gangs, for example, may reduce crime [41] and fear of gangs and gang crime [73] in the injunction area, at least in the short term.…”

Youth gangs and unions: Civil and criminal remedies

“…The stated goals and arguments of CGI supporters reflect Wilson and Kelling's "Broken Windows" theory and its emphasis on problem-oriented policing, quality of life concerns, and "prevalent and low-key troubles" rather than serious crimes (Stewart, 1998(Stewart, : 2252. Beyond these, however, the hope is expressed that CGIs may also achieve their effects through a process of deterrence, both general and specific, and by promoting collective efficacy in the community, reducing criminal opportunities, and/or disrupting criminogenic group processes (Maxson, Hennigan, and Sloane, 2005;Mazerolle and Roehl, 1998), including weakening gang identity and decreasing "levels of participation in gang-related behavior, especially among noncore members" (Maxson et al, 2005: 582).…”

“…There was no evidence of displacement to neighborhoods outside the targeted areas. Only one study (Maxson, Hennigan, and Sloane, 2005) has examined the community impact of CGIs. Survey responses from residents in five San Bernardino neighborhoods revealed "positive evidence of short-term effects in the disordered, primary injunction area [Upper Flats], including less gang presence, fewer reports of gang intimidation, and less fear of confrontation with gang members" (Maxson et al, 2005: 578).…”

Homies with Aspirations and Positive Peer Network Ties: Associations with Reduced Frequent Substance Use among Gang-Affiliated Latino Youth

“…It drives criminal justice, and more recently, public health efforts to prevent gang membership and devise suppressive measures, such as civil gang injunctions, that target individual gang members. 2,3,5 A primary focus on punitive approaches to address criminal behavior can inhibit a broader understand-ing of the gang peer network and mask the marginalization and health disparities gang-involved youth face. 6 Alcohol and illicit substance use have been associated with gang-involved youth and are correlated with other high-risk health behaviors among Latino adolescents.…”