Operation Vasefire Essay

475 Words2 Pages

Cities throughout the country have implemented countless programs and interventions to help combat violent and property crime. Cities notorious for having higher rates of crime tend to implement these programs more so than cities that have low crime. Operation Ceasefire was first put into practice in Boston, Massachusetts in 1996. The intervention is based on the works of criminologist David M Kennedy and is a deterrence strategy focused at reducing violent crime. When officials implement this intervention they hope to make offenders (and future offenders) understand that the cost of committing the crime will far outweigh the benefit of committing the crime (Braga at al. 2001). Since first being implemented in 1996, cities throughout the country …show more content…

Research suggests that the city has about 50 of these organized groups and gangs. With this comes a life of violence and territorial war. Oakland mayor Jean Quan implemented Operation Ceasefire in 2013 due to the city of Oakland experiencing 126 homicides and 557 shootings in 2012 (Oakland Police Department). Officials believe that gang members committed the majority of these acts. This intervention seeks to build relations with those individuals at the highest risk of being a victim, or perpetrator of violent crimes. Administrators achieve this by working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Ceasefire officials strengthen community ties with law enforcement by having weekly call-ins and by holding large meetings with up to 20 or so individuals on probation or parole. When agreeing to partake in Operation Ceasefire, individuals are expected to obtain a GED and to find some sort of work (social services and officials help tremendously). Also, these individuals are held at a much higher standard than other individuals on the street. For instance, if an individual engages in violence after or while being part of the Ceasefire program, then they will be punished to the full extent of the law. Operation Ceasefire has proven to be quite effective in the city of