How effective are groups such as CeaseFire in reducing violent crime?
In law enforcement circles there’s a lot of back and forth about how effective Ceasefire is. I think it has a level of success. Ceasefire would say, “We’re very successful.” Police agencies might say, “Well they’re not that successful.” There’s no doubt they have an effect. What made a lot of us in law enforcement more than happy to work with them was point ten of their ten points: If we [CeaseFire interrupters] try [to advise you on non-violent solutions] and you’re incorrigible, well then we’re going to help prosecute you. We’re going to be witnesses. We’re going to make you go to jail if we tried to reach out and you didn’t. I think it was good carrot and stick ideas that they’ve got. Their slogan is “Stop killing people.” They’re more concerned about that. But I think their message is more powerful when the at-risk youth realize that they also encourage citizens to come forward. Q: What’s the effect of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program on neighborhoods? A: Wi
